1 Peter 3:8-12
And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God’s help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it.
If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Try to live in peace even if you must run after it to catch and hold it! For the Lord is watching his children, listening to their prayers; but the Lord’s face is hard against those who do evil.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This morning, a friend shared a meme with a list titled “40 Old-fashioned Skills That Kids Need to Know.” I copied the list (which actually has 51 items), and here are a few that I thought were particularly good…
- How to write a letter
- How to make a phone call
- How to take a message
- How to converse with an elder
- How to play with a baby
- How to sew on a button
- How to genuinely apologize
- How to introduce yourself
- How to notice the needs of others
- How to make scrambled eggs
- How to balance a checkbook
- How to write a thank you note
- How to do laundry
- How to wash dishes
- How to budget
- How to wait and save for something
- How to ask questions to get to know someone better
- How to read a map
- How to find a book in the library
- How to seek counsel from someone more experienced
- How to care for a pet
- How to select a thoughtful gift
- How to admit a mistake
- How to iron a shirt
- How to give someone the benefit of the doubt
- How to weigh pros and cons
- How to have good table manners
- How to use a fire extinguisher
- How to address and stamp an envelope
- How to write a check
- How to refill a stapler
- How to put air in a bike tire
- How to pump gas
- How to change a flat tire
I was particularly struck by the ones that spoke of relationships…how to give someone the benefit of the doubt; how to weigh pros and cons; how to admit a mistake; and how to genuinely apologize. This scripture would suggest that we add…“How to be gracious and refrain from gloating” and “How to guard our tongue and avoid snapping back.” I would also add, “How to pray for those who are evil, unkind, deceitful and dishonest.” And while the Bible is filled with guidance on the “mechanics” of these…the bottom line is that we simply need to begin.
Pray for those who snap back and are unkind – or downright mean. Pray for those who gloat, the liars, cheats, and deceitful ones who are always looking for a scapegoat or an excuse. When things go well for you, humbly praise God for the blessing and/or victory…but don’t lord over those who disagree or find themselves on the other side of an issue or situation.
I watched a news report about two 12-year-olds who squared off in the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee. In the second-only “spell-off” ever, winner Bruhat Soma spelled 29 words correctly to the 20 words of Faizan Zaki. According to information at APNews.com, “Scripps said Bruhat’s winning word was ‘abseil,’ defined as ‘descent in mountaineering by means of a rope looped over a projection above.’” After his defeat, young Zaki walked over and politely shook the hand of Soma and congratulated him. I read where Zaki had shown encouragement to other students in the earlier rounds of the spell-off. He was humble in his own victory – and congratulated their efforts to make it as far as they did.
We could learn a lot from these seventh graders. We could simply begin to be better people…to be kinder, more loving and gracious, and merciful. We don’t have to give anyone a “pass” for bad behavior – and there is nothing wrong with celebrating our triumphs and accomplishments. But we can be more like Christ in the way we approach and relate to others. We can love one another with tender hearts and humble minds. With God’s help, we can do this – and we must! So, let’s get started! Alleluia!
©2024 Debbie Robus
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