Cleanup Needed

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:31-32

Natalie grinned as Mom put a plate of spaghetti in front of her little brother. “You’ll have to wash Landon’s hair when he’s done. He always makes a mess.”

Mom smiled. “I know, but it’s worth it. He loves spaghetti.”

Feeling her phone buzz, Natalie took it out of her pocket and frowned when she saw that her friend Anna had texted her. A week ago, Anna had said something hurtful, and Natalie was still angry. She ignored the message and jammed her phone back in her pocket.

“Who’s texting you?” asked Mom.

Natalie shrugged. “Nobody. Just Anna.”

Mom studied Natalie’s face. “Are you still mad at her? I thought she apologized for what she said.”

“She did, but I still don’t want to talk to her.” She glanced at her little brother and laughed. “Look at Landon. He’s got spaghetti sauce all over him!”

Mom laughed too. “You know, Natalie, Landon is too little to clean himself up, so if nobody gave him a bath, he’d always be a mess, wouldn’t he?”

“He sure would. He’d have all kinds of food on his face and in his hair.” Natalie grinned. “He needs help!”

“Yes, he does,” Mom agreed. “We’re like him in that way. We need help too.”

“Um, I think I’m old enough to clean myself up, Mom,” Natalie said.

“I’m not talking about washing your face and hair. I’m talking about sin.”

“Oh. Well, you’re right. I can’t clean up my own sin. Jesus had to do it for me.”

“That’s right,” said Mom. “He forgave your sins when you trusted in Him, and now you’re clean. And He wants you to show others forgiveness.”

Natalie sighed. “You’re talking about Anna, aren’t you?”

Mom nodded. “You have the power to forgive because Jesus has made you clean. Don’t hold on to anger and bitterness over what she said. Talk to her and work it out.” Mom wiped spaghetti sauce off Landon’s face, then picked him up to take him to the bathtub. “After all, clean faces shouldn’t have smudges, and clean hearts shouldn’t hold grudges,” she said with a wink.

Natalie smiled and then took out her phone to text Anna.

-Karen E. Cogan

How About You?

Is there someone you need to forgive? Don’t hold a grudge when someone says or does something hurtful. Remember that Jesus has forgiven you for all your sins and has made you clean. Because He’s done that, you can show His love and forgiveness to others. Forgive others when they hurt you.*

*Forgiveness is not the same as trust. If someone hurt you in a way that makes you feel unsafe, tell a trusted adult.

Today’s Key Verse:
Colossians 3:13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other…Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. (ERV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Forgive others