Spend Wisely

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:15–20

“It’s about time someone came to visit!” Mrs. Smith snapped when Jade and her mother came to visit some people in a nursing home. She then grumbled about the food, the nurses, her doctor, and the rainy weather. She turned to Jade. “You just don’t know how lucky you are,” she said in a scolding tone. “Oh, to be young again!” She sighed and swatted at the gray strands of hair falling on her forehead.

After leaving Mrs. Smith’s room, Jade and her mom walked down the hall to see Mrs. Jarvis. The old woman, who was in a wheelchair, greeted them with a smile on her rosy, wrinkled cheeks. “Good to see you!” she said. “Thank you for coming!” She offered them a mint and then introduced them to her new roommate. “This is Mrs. Patterson, and she trusted Jesus as her Savior just last week,” Mrs. Jarvis said cheerfully. “Isn’t that wonderful? Now we’re studying the Bible together.”

When they left the nursing home, Jade turned to her mother. “Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Jarvis are so different,” she said. “They’re both old, but every time we visit them, Mrs. Jarvis is happy and Mrs. Smith is grumpy. I wonder why.”

“Hmm,” said Mom, “Do you remember when your brother decided to buy that new video game he wanted?”

“Yeah,” said Jade. “He did tons of extra chores to save up money to buy it. I’d never seen him work so hard in my life! But what does that have to do with this?”

“He was so focused on getting that game, it determined how he spent his time and his money. I think Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Jarvis are doing something similar. The way they’re spending their time at the nursing home shows where their focus is. Mrs. Smith seems to be focused on the difficulties of getting old and what she doesn’t like about it. But Mrs. Jarvis is focused on the joy she has in Jesus’ love and forgiveness and shares that joy with those around her. Even though they’re at the same stage of life, they’re spending their lives very differently.”

“Let’s go visit Mrs. Smith again sometime,” Jade said. “Maybe we can help her see the joy she can have in Jesus!”

How About You?

How are you spending your life? Are you focused on Jesus and the joy you have in Him—even when you face difficulties? Or are you focused on making everything go your way and complain when it doesn’t? If you know Jesus, you can experience His joy and blessings even in hard times and help others know them too. Spend your life wisely by focusing on Him.

Today’s Key Verse:
Proverbs 16:31 The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Spend your life wisely