Brothers and Sisters

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:43-44; Galatians 6:9-10

Nora let the door bang shut just as her brother reached it. “Well, thanks,” Boyd said sarcastically.

“You never hold the door open for me,” said Nora.

“You never hold the door open for me,” echoed Boyd.

Nora scowled. “Don’t copy me.”

“Don’t copy me.”

“Stop it, Boyd!” yelled Nora.

“Stop it, Boyd!” came the echo. Nora ran to her room and slammed the door.

As Nora and her friend Zoe walked home the next day, Zoe’s brother Tracen caught up with them. “How’d you do on the spelling test, Zoe?”

“Great!” Zoe replied. “I got all the words right!”

“Awesome!” Tracen started running to catch up with a friend. “I’ll make popcorn when we get home!” Zoe grinned and waved as he left.

Nora looked at Zoe. “Are you and Tracen always so nice to each other?”

“We used to fight a lot,” said Zoe, “but then Mom reminded us how Jesus loved us so much He died for us, and He wants us to show His love to others and live in peace. That means putting other people’s feelings above our own, even when they’re not nice to us. So I tried it, and Tracen did too, and it really made a difference! Sometimes we forget, but we get along a lot better now.”

Maybe I should try that with Boyd, Nora thought.

Boyd arrived home just as Nora ran up the steps, so she held the door open for him. “What’s wrong with you?” he asked.

“Nothing,” replied Nora.

“Nothing,” Boyd repeated. Nora just laughed and went up to her room.

At dinner, Nora handed the potatoes to Boyd before taking some herself. “How was school?” she asked.

“Terrible,” said Boyd. “I don’t get multiplication.”

“I’ll help you tonight if you want,” Nora offered.

Boyd gave her a strange look, and Nora could hardly believe it when he passed the chicken so she could take a piece first. Thank you, Jesus, she prayed silently. Please help us learn to live in peace. – Janice M. Jones

How About You?

Are you kind to your brothers and sisters? Or do you tease them or treat them badly—especially when they treat you the same way? It’s not easy to be kind to someone who’s not being kind to you, but you can only bring peace to your relationships by treating others the way Jesus would. Trust Him to help you show His love to your brothers and sisters and bring peace to your home.

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 34:14 Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Today’s Key Thought:

Be a peacemaker at home