Daily Devotional for April 24, 2018
Honor and Kindness
“I’m open!” Will called to his teammate who was slowly dribbling the basketball down the court with a slight limp. “Come on, Andy! We don’t have all day!”
Tweet! The high pitch of Coach’s whistle echoed in the gym. “Time-out!” he called. “Everyone take a seat.”
After everyone was settled on the bleachers, Coach crossed his arms and looked each student in the eye. “I want to tell you a story about a boy named Nathanael,” he began. “Nathanael was overweight, and the kids at school made fun of him. But he loved to play basketball. Sometimes he would shoot hoops at the park until it was dark because no one noticed when he came home. Nathanael’s dad had left when he was young, and his mom was depressed and slept a lot.
“Nathanael’s PE coach noticed he was struggling with the exercises in class and started spending extra time with him. The more Nathanael exercised, the more weight he lost. When his coach encouraged him to try out for the basketball team, Nathanael not only made the team, he became one of their lead players!
“But the most important thing Nathanael’s coach taught him was that Jesus loved him. And because he knew that, Nathanael was able to treat his teammates with honor and kindness—even the ones who used to make fun of him.”
Will shifted uncomfortably on the bleachers.
Coach looked around the gym. “That boy was me,” he said.
The students looked at each other in amazement.
“We all have things we struggle with,” Coach continued, “even if you can’t see it on the outside. I want you to be so confident Jesus loves you that you treat each other with the same honor and kindness.”
Will felt ashamed of how he’d treated Andy. Closing his eyes, he asked Jesus to forgive him and help him learn to show honor and kindness to all his teammates.
“Okay,” Coach said, “time to choose new teams. Will, I believe it’s your turn.”
Will stood up. “I choose Andy,” he said, loud and clear.
Andy looked at Will in surprise, then grinned. As they slowly walked down the bleacher stairs side by side, Will said a quiet prayer under his breath. “Thank you, Jesus.” – Kelly Hope
How about you?
Do you know someone who’s different? Someone people make fun of or who doesn’t seem to fit in? Jesus has a heart for those who are different or feel left out, and He wants you to have a heart for them too. Trust Him to help you show honor and kindness to others so they can see His love.
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