A Special Person
Child: Hey, don't go away. It's time to read Keys for Kids.
Uncle Charlie: It sure is time to read Keys for Kids. I'm Uncle Charlie, and we'll get to our scripture and our story right after we hear some good music. Sing along if you know this one.
Child: Why should I care if the sun doesn't shine? Jesus is mine all of the time why should I care if the storm clouds are low? Jesus is with me I know he will never forsake me I'm under His wing Though trials or take me, I will praise him and sing I am ever so happy so why should I care if the sun doesn't shine? Jesus is mine all the time.
Uncle Charlie: Our scripture reading today is from James, chapter three. I'm reading verses 14, 16, and 18. James 3 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion in every evil work, and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. Our story today is called A Special Person.
Kathy scowled as she slumped in her seat while listening to Patty play the piano for the school assembly. That Patty, thought. Kathy. She always gets asked to play the piano, and I hardly ever get asked. I can play just as well and even better than she can. When Patty finished her solo, everyone clapped. Patty can really play the piano well, can't she? Asked Susan, who was sitting next to Kathy. Well, I.
She's not all that great, kathy murmured. Suddenly an idea struck her. She'd spread a bad story about Patty. Then everyone would see that she wasn't so wonderful.
Patty has time to practice the piano because she doesn't study. She gets her answers from those who do. Susan looked shocked. I can't believe Patty would cheat. Well, she does, said Kathy, feeling bolder. I've seen her doing it. You have? Asked Susan in amazement. Sure, several times, replied Kathy. That night, Kathy tossed and turned in her bed. She kept thinking of the lie she had told about Patty. A Bible verse kept going through her head. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. She could hear her teacher as clearly now as when she had explained the verse in Sunday school. Jealousy leads to other sins, like lying and hating.
Remember, it's God who made that person the way he is. And God made you and loves you just the way you are. You don't need to feel jealous because God gave others talents to use for him. He made them special. And he made you special, too, Kathy knew what she had to do. She asked God to forgive her for lying about Patty. She also asked God for courage to tell Susan that the story about Patty wasn't true. Then she thanked God for making her special and loving her. Soon, Kathy was fast asleep. How about you? Are you jealous of someone who does something better than you? Or of someone who is better looking or who has more riches? God made you special and loves you just as you are. There's no need to envy others. And so our key phrase today is don't envy others.
Thanks for taking time for Keys for Kids. If you'd like a whole book full of stories like I just read, write to me. I'll send you the current Keys for Kids devotional book. Write to Keys for Kids, PO Box 1001, Grand Rapids, Michigan. That's Keys for Kids, PO Box 1001, Grand Rapids Resort, Michigan. Our zip is 49508. I'm Uncle Charlie, and I'll be back soon to read another Keys for Kids, a presentation of the Children's Bible Hour.