The Drawing

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 5:8

“Hi, Mom. Can we have a cookie?” asked Eloise, and Mom nodded. “There was a new girl at school today,” Eloise said as she and her brother Jacob grabbed a chocolate chip cookie from a package in the cupboard. “You should see her. She is so short!”

“Yeah. She looks like she belongs in kindergarten,” said Jacob. “Maybe she’s an alien from outer space.” Both kids erupted into giggles.

Mom looked at them sternly. Before she could say anything, Eloise took a picture out of her backpack. “Look what I drew for art,” she said, quickly changing the subject to avoid the lecture she knew Mom was about to give. “My teacher said it’s really good.”

Jacob munched on his cookie as he studied the drawing of a farmyard. He grinned. “Look at this pig.” He pointed and laughed. “The legs are too short for its body and its ears are too long. And look at that horse!” Jacob laughed louder. “He’s even worse than the pig. His face looks more like a cow’s!”

“Mooom,” whined Eloise. “Jacob’s making fun of me!”

“I’m not making fun of you,” Jacob said, seeing Mom’s frown. “I’m just making fun of this picture—not you!”

“I drew the picture, so you’re making fun of me too!” Eloise cried, grabbing the picture back.

“Eloise is right,” Mom said. “If you make fun of a picture, you’re making fun of who created it.”

“Sorry,” Jacob mumbled. “I was just teasing.”

Mom paused for a moment. “Here’s something for both of you to think about. If you make fun of people—like the new girl at school—because of the way they were created, who are you making fun of?”

Both Eloise and Jacob looked startled. “God, I guess,” Jacob replied.

“Exactly. Every person is created by God and is special,” said Mom. “Every person is loved by Him—loved so much that Jesus died on the cross for them. Never make fun of other kids because of the way God made them. Remember how you’d feel if someone made fun of something you made.”

Eloise looked at her picture again. “Don’t worry,” she said. “I’ll remember.”

“Yeah,” Jacob agreed. “Me too.”

-A. W. Smith

How About You?

Have you ever made fun of other kids because of their looks? God made every person in the world, and each one is unique and special. Jesus loves each one of us so much He died on the cross so we could live with Him forever. If you make fun of the way someone looks, you’re not just hurting them, you’re making fun of how God created that person. Remember God created and loves each person and treat all people with respect.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 139:14 I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Every person is special