Brothers and Sisters

Bible Reading: John 15:9-14, 17

“Go away, Gabriel!” yelled Kayla as her little brother rode his bicycle through the chalk pictures she and her friend Aria were drawing on the sidewalk in front of their apartment. Gabriel laughed and zoomed down the street.

“He’s such a pest, isn’t he?” Aria said. Kayla nodded as she colored over the marks the tires had made. Aria made a face. “What a horrible kid!”

“Gabriel isn’t all that bad,” said Kayla.

“He is too. He should be grounded for life or something!” grumbled Aria.

Kayla quickly came to the defense of her brother. “Gabriel just likes to goof around. He’s a good kid most of the time.”

“I can’t stand him,” Aria replied. “Oh, look, here he comes. If he bothers us again, I’ll—” She was interrupted when…CRASH! The front tire of Gabriel’s bike caught in a piece of loose cement, and the bike flipped over on its side. Gabriel fell with it, his foot tangled in the spokes. He started to cry.

“Serves him right,” said Aria. “Crybaby!”

“Aria!” exclaimed Kayla. “Gabriel is hurt.”

“Too bad!” Aria turned to go. “I’m leaving!”

“Come on, Gabriel,” said Kayla, and she helped her brother into the building as Aria stormed off.

“Aria’s mean!” Kayla fumed as Mom washed and bandaged Gabriel’s scrapes.

“You often criticize Gabriel yourself,” said Mom, “so I’m a bit surprised you stood up for him now.”

Kayla shrugged. “He’s family—he’s my brother,” she said. “I love him.”

“Good. I’m glad you defended him,” said Mom. “But remember that you and Aria are both Christians, so that makes her your sister. You’re both part of God’s family.”

“Does that mean I have to love her like I do Gabriel?” Kayla asked.

Mom nodded. “It doesn’t mean you have to listen to her criticize your brother,” she said. “But it does mean you should be patient and forgive her like Jesus forgave you. The Bible says love covers a multitude of sins. Jesus loves Aria and forgives her when she does things that are wrong, just like He loves and forgives you. He’ll help you love and forgive her too.”

“Well…” Kayla hesitated. “Okay,” she said. “I guess I do love Aria too.”

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?

Do you love all of God’s family—your brothers and sisters in Christ? The Bible says love covers a multitude of sins. Jesus invites you to trust in Him and let His perfect love and sacrifice cover all the wrong you have done. He also tells us to love others as He does. Do you do that? Are you willing to overlook differences of opinion? To forgive when you feel hurt? Trust Jesus to help you love others the way He loves you.

Today’s Key Verse: 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Love all members of God’s family