Help Needed

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:57-58; 16:13-14

“I’m done trying to be nice to Beck!” Karsten told his mom. “He’s so mean! When I asked if he wanted to be my lab partner in science today, he laughed and said he wouldn’t be caught dead with a—well, I won’t repeat what he called me.” Karsten wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “I was just trying to reach out to him because he doesn’t have any friends. Now I know why—he doesn’t want any!”

Mom was about to respond when a sharp yip followed by a howl of pain came from outside.

“That’s Mitsy!” Karsten shot out the back door. He found his puppy crouched on the ground, her paw caught underneath the fence. Every time she moved, a sharp barb of wire jabbed her flesh. Karsten knelt beside her and reached for the trapped paw.

“Gr-r-r-r!” Mitsy growled, baring her teeth.

Karsten drew back in surprise. “Mitsy! Why are you growling at me? I only want to help you.”

The puppy growled again as Mom knelt beside them and reached for Mitsy’s paw. “Hold her head, Karsten, and talk to her gently.”

As Karsten held the whimpering puppy, his mother carefully freed her paw and examined it. “There’s a little cut here. We’ll put some ointment on it.” As Mitsy’s wet tongue reached for Mom, she laughed. “I guess she’s thanking me!” She patted Mitsy’s head. “Karsten, what if we had walked away when Mitsy growled at us?”

“We’d never do that!” Karsten said. “She just growled because she was hurt and scared. She needed help!”

“Right. Mitsy needed someone to free her from the fence she was caught on. And in a way, Beck needs the same thing. I think he acts the way he does because he’s hurt and afraid. He needs someone to free him from the sin in his life and heal him.”

“You mean Jesus, don’t you?”

Mom nodded. “Don’t give up on him just because he snapped at you. When you treat him with kindness and respect, even when he’s mean to you, you’re showing him the love of Jesus.”

“Yip! Yip!” agreed Mitsy as she ran around their feet.

Karsten grinned at the puppy. “Okay, Mom. I won’t give up on Beck.” – Barbara J. Westberg

How About You?

Have you ever been growled at when you tried to help someone? Did it make you want to give up trying to be nice to them? Don’t give in to that temptation. Jesus will never give up on you, and when you do the same for others, you point them toward the hope and healing only He can give. Keep showing others His kindness and love.

Today’s Key Verse:
Galatians 6:9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Keep Loving Others