The Home Office

Bible Reading: Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 John 4:11-13

“Mo-om, Nathan hit me!” shouted Lily down the stairs.

“I only hit her because she called me stupid!” shouted Nathan immediately after.

Lily ran down the stairs toward their mom. “Well, you started it by playing

that prank on me!”

“Enough!” said Mom. “I know we’ve been cooped up in this house for months,

and everyone’s a little cranky. But we’re Christians, and even though we’re all feeling the strain of this pandemic, we can love each other.”

Nathan looked like he was about to protest, but Mom cut him off. “Take a look at this room. What do you see?”

Nathan shrugged. “It’s your home office. There’s a desk, a chair, and a computer.”

“Right!” said Mom. “This used to be the room where extra junk piled up, but when the pandemic hit and I could no longer go to my office downtown, I cleaned it up and made it my home office. Now it’s welcoming and purposeful like the other rooms in our house.”

“Yeah,” said Lily. “It’s much nicer now. You couldn’t have gotten any work done in here when it was a mess!”

Mom nodded and pointed to the kids. “Jesus has done the same for you. Since you trust in Him, He’s made you new people and given you a new purpose. He has filled you with His love and given you His Spirit. Just like this room now resembles my downtown office, the Holy Spirit works in our lives to make us like Jesus so others can see what He’s like.” Mom pointed to her computer. “Pretend my laptop is kindness. And my phone is forgiveness. Or this desk is mercy. Those are the qualities we exhibit as the Holy Spirit works in us so we can show others the love of Jesus.”

Just then the cell phone in Mom’s hand started to ring. “I have to take this call, but I hope you’ll remember you can show love to each other—even when things are hard,” she said before shutting the door.

Nathan and Lily faced each other, and both siblings mumbled an apology. “I think,” Nathan said, “the best way for me to show you love right now is to leave you alone.”

“Same here,” said Lily, and she smiled at her brother before heading back upstairs. • Naomi Vroegop

How About You?

When you’re feeling stressed or upset, do you take it out on others? Having to deal with difficulties can put a strain on our relationships, but because we have the Holy Spirit, we can treat others the way Jesus would, even in hard times. What are some ways you can show others His love? Patience when your sibling is bothering you? Or forgiveness when someone hurts you? Trust Him to help you display His love in every situation.

Today’s Key Verse:
John 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Show the love of Jesus