Parents and Kids Daily Devotional "This Is Living"Exemplo

There was a certain time in my life when I felt like the cruelest, most evil monster in the whole world. I did something horrible to someone I truly cared about and loved. I did this for quite a long time and he felt sick to his stomach just looking at me.

At that point in my life, I was highly unaware of forgiveness, kindness, thoughtfulness, and especially care. I was deprived of that in my childhood because the people around me were unfair and abusive. So I thought that the only way to survive in this world was to be cruel, if not, crueler.

Then, senior high school came, I was at a low point in my life. I started to reflect on what I’d been through and what I did to other people. The first person that popped into my head was him. My own little brother. How I had been so monstrous and cruel to him. I never thought that the day would come when I would actually be concerned - even guilty - about what I did to him.

To my surprise, my brother forgave me. I told him that I was sorry for everything I'd done that might have deprived him of happiness and a better life within the family. And he forgave me. As simple as that. I asked him at that time, "How can you forgive me so easily?" And he replied, "You're my sister. No matter what happens, you will always be my family, and I will always love you."

Long story short, we became BFFs in no time. But of course, during that process, I was consumed by guilt. How could I have treated him so badly when he was such a kind and forgiving boy? I started to think that I wasn't a good person, that I wasn't cut out to be part of a church community, and that I was being a hypocrite for helping other people and yet being mean to my own flesh and blood. Today, I am still trying to be a better person. Every day, for me, is an opportunity to show love to my brother.

This story of mine may relate to you. You are doing all the good things in public, but not so much when you are in your own home. Let me tell you, it is so uncomfortable. We are imperfect people living in the real world, but don’t let that stop you from being a good person wherever you are. As for my brother, I have a lot to learn from him. I learned that forgiving is easy if it is based on love.

Let’s learn together. Complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Encourage one another. Be better every day. Forgive always.

Devotion for Parents
Have you ever hurt your children’s feelings? Have you asked for their forgiveness?

Devotion for Kids
Do you ever hate your siblings? Why? Would you open your heart and forgive them?

Family Devotion Time
Let’s play this game: Find the Difference

Ask 2 of your family members to stand facing each other and look at each other.

Then, have them turn around and make some changes, for example: change their hairstyle, put on a bracelet, roll up their sleeves, etc.

Then turn back to face each other again and look for the differences.

Another option is you can use pictures instead of real people.

At the end of the game, explain that even though the game is fun, as children of God, we ought to be the same person wherever we are.