It Hurts Too Much!

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:31-5:1

“I hate them!” Annabelle yelled as she slammed the front door.

“Annabelle, is that you?” Mom called from the kitchen.

Too angry to answer, Annabelle stomped over and sat down on the stairs.

“What has you so upset?” Mom asked as she came from the kitchen.

“Some kids on the bus made fun of me. They said I’m not really your child because I don’t look like you.” Annabelle began to cry.

Mom sat down and hugged her. “I’m sorry,” she said a gentle voice. “I know those words hurt. They even hurt me when you shared them.”

“I told them it’s because I’m adopted. You and Daddy are white, and I’m brown because I’m from Ecuador.” Annabelle sniffled. “But they wouldn’t stop.”

Mom reached into her pocket for some tissues. She gave one to Annabelle and kept one for herself. “Here, let’s wipe our tears.” After a few moments, Mom said, “They don’t understand adoption, sweetheart. Or maybe they don’t want to try.”

“Why are they being so mean?” Annabelle asked.

Mom gave her another hug. “They just are.” She paused. “Do you remember that time you found your little sister going through your books?”

Annabelle wiped her tears. “Yes. I yelled at her and made her cry.”

“But she still forgave you because she loves you,” Mom said.

Annabelle shook her head. “I can’t do that with the kids on the bus. It hurts too much to forgive!”

“When they nailed Jesus to the cross so we could be forgiven for our sins, did He say, ‘I won’t do this because it hurts too much?’”

“No.” Annabelle paused. “I never really thought about it like that.”

“Jesus gave his life because He loves you, and He wants you to show that love to others by forgiving them, even when you think they don’t deserve it—”

“Or it hurts too much,” Annabelle added.

Mom kissed Annabelle’s cheek. “Right. Now, will you help me peel the potatoes?”

Annabelle nodded. “I’m so glad you’re my mother.” – Ginny Cruz

How About You?

Has someone made fun of you? Maybe they joked about your skin color or your clothes. It may be hard to forgive them, especially when they’re not sorry, but we need to forgive others because Jesus forgave us. Trust Him to help you forgive others when they hurt you.

Today’s Key Verse:
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Forgive those who hurt you