Out of the Tube

Bible Reading: Proverbs 10:31-32; Ecclesiastes 10:12-13

I gotta go, Ian texted his friend Spencer after helping him with a homework question. I’m babysitting Colton, so I’d better see if he finished his snack. Ian put down his phone and returned to the kitchen, but his little brother was no longer there. “Colton, where are you?” Ian called.

“In here.” The little boy’s answer came from the bathroom.

Ian hurried in and found toothpaste all over the counter. More was oozing out of the tube as Colton stood on a stool, trying to push it back in.

“Colton!” Ian grabbed the tube away from his brother. “You can’t put toothpaste back. Once it’s out of the tube, it stays out. Don’t be such a dummy!”

Colton began to cry. “I’m dumb,” he sobbed. “I’m a dummy!”

When Ian saw how upset his little brother was, he wished he hadn’t been so harsh. “No, you’re not, Colton, you just have to learn some stuff.”

“But you said…”

Ian rumpled his brother’s hair. “Forget it. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.”

When Mom and Dad came home, they asked how the babysitting went. “I’m a dummy,” Colton whimpered.

“No, you’re not,” said Ian quickly. He knew he’d have to explain what had happened. “We had a…a toothpaste explosion, that’s all,” he said, and he told his parents about it.

“And I’m a dummy,” Colton repeated. “Ian said so.”

“I told you you’re not,” Ian replied. “I told you I’m sorry for saying that.”

“Colton, you shouldn’t have been playing with the toothpaste,” Dad said, “but Ian, you should have been watching him more carefully. And it sounds like you already know you were quick to say hurtful words.”

“Yeah, and I really am sorry—I just wish Colton would believe me!”

“Words are like toothpaste squeezed out of a tube—you can’t take them back,” said Mom. “You can only clean up the mess with forgiveness. I know Colton will forgive you once he understands you’re sorry you hurt him. But there’s someone else who’s always ready to forgive—and who will help you speak loving words instead of hurtful ones.

“You mean Jesus, don’t you?” Ian sighed. “I need to ask Him to clean up the mess

I made.”

-Linda Weddle

How About You?

Do you often speak in anger? Do you scold or make unkind remarks to brothers or sisters? Do you jokingly say things without considering how others will feel about them? Words can never be unsaid—they can only be forgiven. The Bible says your speech should always be “with grace.” In other words, speak in a way that shows others the grace and love of Jesus.

Today’s Key Verse: Colossians 4:6 (NKJV) Let your speech always be with grace.

Today’s Key Thought:

Speak in a kind way