Daily Devotional for September 18, 2022
Ew Stew
“Mom, what are we having for dinner?” Clara tapped her pencil against the table.
Mom turned around from stirring the big pot on the stove. “Venison and veggie stew. Do you need any help with your homework?”
“I can’t focus,” Clara said with a groan. She scowled. “I keep thinking about what Emerson said to me.”
Mom sighed and headed over to the table. “Clara, your brother apologized and received a punishment—days ago. Why are you stewing over this?”
“Huh? Stewing?” asked Clara. “We haven’t even eaten the stew!”
Mom laughed. “No, it’s a homonym. Like what you’re working on in school.” She tapped Clara’s paper. “Like a dog’s bark and a tree’s bark? Stew has more than one meaning. Sometimes, it can mean you’re thinking about something with agitation or resentment—you’re dwelling on it.”
“Kind of like our food stew has been in the pot for hours?” asked Clara. “And I’ve been dwelling on what Emerson said for days?”
Mom nodded. “Here’s a question for you, Clara. What has your stewing done for you?”
“I guess it’s made me more upset…and a little distracted,” Clara admitted thoughtfully.
“When we choose to focus on forgiveness and allow God to be the Judge, it softens our hearts and gives us freedom.” Mom drew a heart on Clara’s paper.
“Even if the person who did something wrong doesn’t deserve it?” Clara asked.
Mom looked into Clara’s eyes. “We didn’t deserve Jesus’s forgiveness, and yet He died on the cross for us. When I start dwelling on what someone did, I talk with Jesus and think about what He did for us. I remember the kindness and compassion He has for me and the person who hurt me. And that allows me to forgive.”
Clara sighed. “It’s hard sometimes, but you’re right. I’m making ‘ew stew’ in my mind and heart, and I would rather be brewing something yummy.”
“Like coffee?” Mom winked.
“Oooh, yes, with extra sweet creamer!” Clara giggled. “Kindness and forgiveness coffee.”
Mom handed Clara an empty coffee cup. “Yum! I’ll take some of that, please!”
-Savannah Coleman
How about you?
Have you ever had a hard time forgiving someone? When we find ourselves in this situation, we can remember the forgiveness God shows us through His Son, Jesus. Forgiveness means releasing your desire for revenge and giving it over to Jesus, the good Judge who will one day take care of every wrong. If you have asked Him to be your Savior, you have His power to help you forgive.* *If someone has hurt you and you’re not sure how to stay safe and show forgiveness, talk to a trusted adult.
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