A Good Friend

Bible Reading: Proverbs 27:5-6

Zayden’s eyes widened as his dad took a pair of tweezers from their first aid kit. “Hold still, Zayden,” Dad said. Zayden and his dad had been working on his tree house when a large splinter got lodged in Zayden’s thumb. He instinctively drew back his hand. “I know this will hurt a bit,” said Dad, “but you don’t want to leave this splinter in your hand, do you?”

Zayden shook his head. He squeezed his eyes shut and held his hand out. Dad worked carefully, and soon the splinter was out. Then Dad washed and disinfected the cut and put a bandage on it.

“Dad, why do things have to hurt?” asked Zayden as Dad poured them glasses of lemonade.

“Well, we live in a fallen world—you know that,” Dad replied. “When Adam and Eve sinned, pain became a part of our lives. Even good things can hurt.” Dad handed a glass to Zayden. “Can you think of something that was painful but good for you?”

“Yeah,” Zayden said. “Taking that splinter out of my thumb!”

Dad nodded. “It hurt, but it helped you. And how about the time your friend Martin admitted to your teacher that the two of you cheated on a test?”

“That wasn’t helpful! You grounded me for a week—and my teacher changed my grade on that test to an F.” Zayden frowned. “I’m glad Martin got himself in trouble too. I’m still mad at him.”

“But he did the right thing. Martin helped you learn that cheating is always wrong. It’s hurtful to the other kids in your class and to those who are trying to teach you—like me and your teacher,” said Dad. “I’d say that makes him a pretty good friend to have. I think God used Martin to help you realize how wrong your actions were and to shape you to be more like Jesus—even though it hurt.”

Zayden looked at the bandage on his hand. His thumb was still sore, but it felt much better since the splinter was out. “I guess Martin is a good friend. I should probably apologize for getting so mad at him.”

“Good idea,” said Dad. “Even though it hurt, he did it to help you.” • Agnes Maddy

How About You?

Have you felt wounded by what someone has done even though they did it to help you? Did a friend point out you were doing something wrong? Did a teacher make you stay in at recess because you were goofing off? Instead of getting mad, think about your actions. If they were wrong, ask Jesus to forgive you. Then thank Him for putting faithful friends in your life to help you, even when it hurts.

Today’s Key Verse: Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Good friends help even when it hurts