The Leaky Faucet

Bible Reading: Psalm 78:34-39

“Stop following me around, Zack!” Sam yelled at his little brother.

“But I want to be with you,” Zack said tearfully.

“I don’t care! I’m tired of you following me everywhere!” Sam said as he stormed out of the house.

Later that day, Sam went inside to get a snack. “What are you doing?” he asked when he found his dad under the kitchen sink.

Dad crawled out from under the sink and fumbled around in his toolbox. “Oh, the faucet is leaking again, and I’m trying to fix it. Ever since it started leaking, I just can’t seem to get it to stop! I may have to call in a professional.” Dad sighed, somewhat discouraged, then went back to work as Sam continued to look for something to eat.

A few minutes later, Dad gave up trying to fix the faucet and sat down at the table. “You know, we can be like that faucet sometimes,” he said.

Sam looked confused. “What do you mean?”

“When we get upset with someone and lash out at them in anger, it’s a lot like water dripping from a leak. Once it gets started, it’s hard to mend. The faucet was never the same after I tried to fix it, just like our feelings toward one another are never quite the same when we try to fix them ourselves. We need to call in a professional!”

“You mean Jesus?” Sam asked.

“That’s right,” Dad said. “We need to call on Jesus to fix the leaks in our relationships, just like I need to call a plumber to fix the leak in the faucet. The only way to stop anger from leaking out of our hearts and hurting others is for Him to replace it with His love. We need to remember how much He loves us and then show that person His love and forgiveness instead of our anger.”

Sam thought about how he had yelled at his little brother earlier that day. “I think I need to ask Jesus to fix a leak in my heart and then go apologize to Zack.”

Dad smiled. “I think that’s a good idea. While you do that, I’m going to call a plumber!” – Elena Ketner

How About You?

Do you have a leak in a relationship that you just can’t seem to fix? Do mean, angry words drip out of your mouth when you get upset? You can’t fix that leak on your own—you need a professional. Jesus is the only one who can fix the angry leak in your heart with His love. Trust Him to help you love others the way He loves you and respond to them with forgiveness and understanding instead of anger.

Today’s Key Verse:
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Show God’s love to others