Daily Devotional for April 9, 2019
The Mean Message
Kallie looked up from her homework when someone knocked on her bedroom door. “Come in.”
“You left this in the kitchen,” her mom said, holding up a phone. “I heard it buzz and saw a message pop up. It was from Meg, and she said the picture of Susan you sent her was so funny and that you were right—her outfit was super ugly.” Mom frowned. “Is this the same Susan you asked me to pray for last week?”
Kallie blushed and took the phone. “I got really mad at Susan yesterday. She made fun of me in front of everyone. She said, ‘Hey, look at Kallie’s new shirt! I have a bathrobe made of the same material.’ I wanted to smash her nose in!”
“You didn’t, did you?” asked Mom. “Smash her nose in, I mean?”
“No, of course not,” said Kallie. “I sure felt like it, but I didn’t do anything to get back at her.”
Mom raised her eyebrows. “Except send a picture of her to Meg—which I’m guessing was not very flattering—and make fun of her outfit? I think that was more than enough. Does Susan know you sent that to Meg?”
“I don’t think so,” said Kallie. “I don’t think anyone would have shared it.”
“Anyone? How many people did you send it to?”
“Um . . .” Kallie bit her lip. “Five.”
Mom sighed. “Kallie, when you send things like that on your phone, anyone can show them to someone else. There’s a chance Susan saw someone laughing at her picture—or even got it sent to her with a mean comment. Getting back at her like that isn’t a very good way to show her what being a Christian is all about, is it?”
Kallie shook her head. “I guess I should talk to Susan about the picture and apologize, shouldn’t I?”
“Yes,” said Mom. “And you should talk to Jesus about it too. You were angry, and you handled your anger very badly. But He’ll forgive you and help you act out of love instead of anger.”
Kallie nodded. “Mom? Can you keep praying for Susan? And for me to show her what Jesus is like?”
Mom smiled. “Of course.”
How about you?
When someone is mean to you, how do you respond? Are you quick to get even? That’s not the way to win anyone to Jesus. Instead, show them His love. God says He’s the only one who has a right to avenge people’s wrongs. Our job is to show others the mercy and kindness He has shown us.
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