Tools for Tough Times

Read: Proverbs 15:1; Ephesians 4:31-32

Kevin leaned against the garage doorframe and watched his dad tip the lawn mower onto its side. “What are you doing?” he asked.

Dad knelt beside the mower. “I need to sharpen the blade. But first, I’ve got to get it off.” He glanced up and noticed the frown on Kevin’s face. “What’s wrong? I thought you were playing at the neighbor’s house.”

Kevin kicked at the concrete. “Steven cheated at dodgeball. So, I left.”

Dad grabbed a screwdriver from his toolbox and scraped grass off the mower. “You know, getting along with people is a bit like using tools.”

Kevin raised an eyebrow. “How’s that?”

Dad rummaged through his toolbox and pulled out a utility knife. “Well, sometimes people’s words are sharp, like this knife.” He placed it back down and grabbed a file. “Other times, their actions rub us the wrong way.” He tapped the hammer. “And sometimes they pound away at our feelings.”

Kevin crossed his arms. “Tools can do a lot of damage.”

“They can,” Dad said, holding up a piece of sandpaper. “But they can also repair things—if we use the right ones. Take this sandpaper. It might seem rough, but it can smooth out a lot of rough edges. Same with forgiveness.” Dad glanced at the wrenches on top of his workbench. “Can you grab the 5/8 for me?”

Kevin walked over and handed him the wrench. Dad jiggled it onto the mower bolt, then gave it a hard twist. With a squeak, the bolt loosened, and the blade came off.

“See? The right tool makes all the difference.” Dad stood up and placed the mower blade on his workbench. “Fixing relationships is no different. There’s a verse in Proverbs that says a soft answer turns away wrath. If you talk to Steven about what he did and respond to him with kindness instead of holding a grudge, you might be able to smooth things over. Remember that Jesus always forgives us for the wrong things we do because He died for our sins so we could have a relationship with Him. And He gives us the tools we need to be kind and forgiving to others.”

Kevin thought for a moment, then turned to go.

“Hey, where are you going?” Dad asked.

Kevin gave a little shrug, then smiled. “I guess it’s time to put God’s tools to work.”

–Mark Wainwright

How about you? Have you ever tried to fix something without the right tool? It’s tough, isn’t it? The same goes for friendships. When someone hurts you, holding a grudge doesn’t help. Instead, trust God to help you forgive and show kindness. It’s not easy, but He’ll give you the tools you need to respond in a loving way and make your friendship strong again.

Today’s key verse: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Fix friendships with forgiveness