Horn Honkers

Bible Reading: Psalm 75:4-7

HONK! Honk-honk-HONK! The horn on little Titus’s tricycle was making an awful racket. Ruby clapped her hands over her ears as she came in from school. “You’re hurting my ears with all that honking!”

“Titus,” Mom said, “let Ruby help you take your tricycle to the playroom in the basement.”

“But I wanna ride up here!” Titus wailed.

Ruby picked up the tricycle and started for the stairs. “Blow it all you want in the basement where it won’t bother anybody.”

When Ruby came back, she said, “Now I can tell you my news, Mom. I’ve been promoted to advanced math! Only five percent of the kids make that class.”

Mom came over to give her a hug. “Congratulations, honey!”

Ruby beamed. “And my art teacher told me she wants me to enter one of my projects in a competition for kids my age. She thinks I might win an award!”

“That’s great!” said Mom. “I hope you win!”

“Me too. I think I will—the other kids’ projects at our school weren’t nearly as good as mine.” Ruby got out her phone. “Now I just need to tell my friends!” Her fingers moved swiftly over the screen. “Oh, and I need to tell them I’m going to see a Broadway show with you and Dad in New York next month. They’ll be so jealous!” Her fingers moved even faster.

“Ruby,” Mom said, “That’s enough. You’re hurting my ears!”

Ruby looked puzzled. “But Mom, I’m typing, not talking.”

“Yes, but you’re blowing your own horn, and it’s getting louder and louder.”

“What do you mean, Mom? I just want to share my news with my friends.”

“I know,” said Mom, “but there’s a difference between sharing an accomplishment or opportunity you’re excited about and bragging because you think you’re better than others. God has given you many blessings, like a sharp mind your teachers have helped you develop. But He wants you to use those blessings to point others to Jesus, not brag about how great you are.”

Mom smiled as the faint sound of a tricycle horn drifted up the stairs. “If you’re going to honk your own horn, do it in the basement.”

Ruby put down her phone. “No, thanks. I don’t want to sound anything like that!” – Barbara Westberg

How About You?

Do you like to hear people brag? Do you brag yourself? It’s great when you accomplish something difficult or receive a special opportunity, so go ahead and be excited when that happens. But don’t brag. Thank God for the blessings He’s given both you and others, and remember that He wants you to use your accomplishments and opportunities to show people His love and point them to Jesus.

Today’s Key Verse:
Proverbs 27:2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Don’t blow your own horn