Daily Devotional for October 16, 2021
Two-Member Trio
“Hi, Poppy,” Taryn greeted her friend at the church entrance. “I’ve been waiting for you and Mckenna. Are you nervous?”
“Yeah,” said Poppy. “I could hardly sleep last night.” The girls were excited because they were going to sing as a trio in the morning church service.
Just then Mckenna’s brother Tripp walked by. “Where’s Mckenna?” both girls asked at once.
“You don’t know?” Tripp seemed surprised. “Our neighbors called yesterday and invited Mckenna to go camping with them. She decided to go, and she won’t be back until tonight. I thought she told you.”
Taryn and Poppy looked at each other. “How could Mckenna do this to us?” moaned Taryn as they hurried to find Miss Andrews, the pianist.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” said Miss Andrews when Taryn explained that Mckenna wasn’t coming. “But I think you two should sing anyway. Let’s run over the song. I’m sure the two of you will sound fine together.” So although they hadn’t practiced as a duet before, the girls sang, and several people told them they sounded great.
“I still wish we could have sung as a trio,” said Taryn on the way home. “I think it’s terrible that Mckenna didn’t come! She said she’d be there!”
“It’s frustrating when people don’t follow through on their commitments,” Mom agreed. “Let this be a reminder of how important it is to keep any commitment you make to others.”
Dad nodded. “Remember this experience whenever you feel like backing out of something at the last minute,” he said. “It’s hurtful to others when we don’t do what we say we’ll do. As God’s children, we’re called to be like Jesus, who is faithful and always keeps His promises. Of course, since we’re not perfect, sometimes we’ll fail. But then we can ask Jesus to forgive us and help us be faithful in our commitments—and tell those we’ve hurt we’re sorry too.”
Taryn sighed. “I know it will make me think twice before I back out of something I’ve agreed to do.” She hesitated. “Is it okay to tell Mckenna how we feel?”
“Yes, but do it in a loving way, not in anger,” said Mom. “And be willing to forgive her.”
“Okay,” Taryn said. “I will.”
-Lenora McWhorten
How about you?
Do you take your commitments seriously? Do you follow through on the things you agree to do? Or do you sometimes not show up if something better comes along? When you fail to do what you’ve promised, you hurt those who are depending on you. If you haven’t been keeping your commitments, ask Jesus to forgive you. Then trust Him to help you be faithful to others the way He’s faithful to you.
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