Parents and Kids Daily Devotional "Look at "UsSample

When I was in Junior High, I had a bad experience. I became an enemy of a friend because I didn’t let her cheat off my answers to a test. Every time she saw me, she’d made a bad face and then ignore me. It seemed like she hated me very much and she didn't talk to me anymore after that day.

However, her attitude reminded me of God’s command to love your neighbors, including your enemies. So, I gathered whatever courage I had left to do His command. What did I do? Whenever we passed by in the hallway, I looked her in the eye and smiled. Well, she did not smile back. She turned her head away because she was still very upset. I didn’t give up. When I saw her the next day, I did the same thing. And the next day. I even said “Hi!” to her. How did she respond? She didn’t.

I kept doing the same gesture until she finally softened. Finally, although she didn’t smile, she did not turn her head away. Until one day in class, she approached me and we chatted. We became friends again and had our regular lunches in the cafeteria like old times.

The first step to forgiving and restoring a broken relationship with someone who hates you is no easy task. But, as children of God, we have to do it because through that, transformations happens.

Devotion for Parents
It is easier to show respect and to forgive someone older or of higher authority, such as our boss, or our pastor, etc. But, when we have to respect and forgive someone younger or under our authority, such as our driver, the office boy, or our nannies, we find it more difficult. Let’s practice what the Word is teaching us today and bring transformation wherever we are.

Devotion for Kids
Have you ever quarrelled with your friend or sibling? Who said sorry first? Who initiated being buddies again? Asking for forgiveness and forgiving others first does not mean that we are losers or we are the guilty ones. By taking the initiative to forgive and ask for forgiveness means that we are doing good and bringing transformation to our surroundings.

Family Devotion Time
Invite your family to share their experiences of times when they quarrelled with a friend or sibling. Then, ask if any of them are in a quarrel right now. Pray that each one of you can practice love and patience wherever you are, so that you can be a generation that brings transformation and good influence in your surroundings.