The Not-So-Friendly Rabbit

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 3:8-12

“Can I take Casper to school tomorrow?” asked Max one evening.

“You can’t take your rabbit to school,” said his older brother, Kolton. “Where would you keep him? In your desk?” He laughed at the idea.

Max made a face at his brother. “We have a rabbit in our classroom, and Miss Simpson says I can put Casper in the cage with him. Please, can I take him, Mom? I think Casper gets lonely here with no other rabbits to play with.”

Mom said okay, so the next day Max took Casper to school with him. “Look, Freckles,” Miss Simpson said as she opened the other rabbit’s cage. “Here’s a friend for you to play with.” But when she placed Casper next to Freckles, the two rabbits began biting and clawing each other. Miss Simpson quickly took Casper back out. “Well, I guess neither one of these rabbits wants a friend after all!” she said in surprise. She helped Max fix a box to hold Casper for the rest of the day.

That night, Max told his family about it at dinner. “I don’t get it. Why don’t those rabbits like each other? I took Casper to school so he could have a friend and not be lonely, but all he and Freckles did was fight!”

“I told you taking your rabbit to school was a dumb idea,” Kolton said.

“Be quiet, Kolton!” Max snapped. “Nobody asked you.”

Mom put down her fork. “You know, hearing about those rabbits at school today reminds me of how you two treat each other.”

Max and Kolton glanced at each other, then lowered their eyes.

“You two are brothers,” Mom went on. “Not just brothers in this family, but brothers in God’s family too. Jesus puts other Christians in our lives so we can enjoy and encourage one another, but all you do is fight.”

“So, instead of fighting, Jesus wants me and Kolton to have fun together?” Max asked.

Mom nodded. “And to treat each other with the same kindness and love He has shown you. He wants us to treat everyone that way, but especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to live in harmony with those who know and love Him like we do.” – Dawn Yrene

How About You?

How do you treat your brothers and sisters? Do you show them kindness and love—or are you too busy fighting? Jesus wants us to show His love to everyone, but it’s especially important to live in harmony with other Christians. The Bible tells us to live as brothers and sisters in Christ so we can encourage one another and know we’re not alone as we learn to walk with Him.

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! (CSB)

Today’s Key Thought:

Live in harmony with others