Daily Devotional for December 14, 2019
The Ugly Stain
“I think everyone had fun at my slumber party,” said Willa.
“That’s great,” said Mom, “and you were a perfect hostess. I like the way you treated your friends.”
Willa sighed. “Skye spilled chocolate milk on my new bedspread, and it left a big brown stain. She felt so bad, so I told her I was sure it would come out and not to worry about it. It will come out, won’t it?”
“Probably,” replied Mom. “Let’s take a look at it.”
Willa’s little sister, Julie, trailed along as they went to Willa’s room. “Julie behaved very nicely with your friends,” said Mom, giving the little girl a hug.
“That’s a miracle,” said Willa, scowling at her sister, “considering she’s a brat.”
“Willa!” said Mom sternly.
“Well, she’s a pain,” Willa said as they reached the door of her room. “Yesterday she got watercolor paint all over my new jeans. She’s always getting into everything!” Willa pointed to her bedspread. “See—that’s where the chocolate milk spilled. Will it come out?”
“I know what you can do,” Julie piped up from the other side of the bed. “You can put this pillow over it.” She picked up a pink pillow and placed it on the stain. “There! That fixes it!”
“That doesn’t fix anything,” Willa grumbled. “That just covers it up.”
“True, but you could just cover it up when you have company—like you cover up the stain in your heart,” said Mom.
“What?” Willa asked. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve noticed you tend to be very impatient and unkind toward your sister except when your friends are around,” said Mom. “Then you treat her better. It’s like you’re covering up an unloving spirit. When your friends leave, you uncover it again and the impatience reappears.”
Willa blushed. Deep down, she knew Mom was right. She looked at her sister. “I’m sorry, Julie.”
Mom squeezed Willa’s shoulder. “Tell Jesus you’re sorry too, and remember how much He loves you. He will remove that stain—that impatient spirit—and help you love others the way He does.” Patricia C. Singletary
How about you?
Are you more kind and gracious with your family when other people are present? It’s important to treat others with love and kindness all the time, whether someone is watching you or not. If that’s a problem for you, don’t cover it up. Give that ugly stain to Jesus. Trust Him to cleanse your heart and fill it with His love so you can show kindness to everyone, including your family.
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