Throw It Out
THROW IT OUT
Read Leviticus 19:16-18.
“Let’s go to the sidewalk sale,” said Paige.
Mom sighed. “I’d love to, but we’ll have to clean up the kitchen first.”
“Okay,” agreed Paige. “I’ll clean the fridge.”
After working silently for several minutes, Mom asked, “Would you like to invite Melissa to go with us?”
“No,” Paige answered sharply as she unloaded the refrigerator shelves. “Melissa is Amy’s friend now.”
“You could invite Amy, too,” Mom suggested.
“No,” snapped Paige. Then she added, “Melissa knows I can’t stand Amy. Last year Amy said some mean things about me, and she—phew! What do I smell?”
Mom grimaced. “You must have uncovered something spoiled,” she said.
Paige gingerly picked up a bowl. “It’s this old tuna casserole. Phewweee!”
Mom reached for it. “Let’s get rid of this.”
A few minutes later Mom said, “Paige, sometimes we keep old things inside of us until they spoil and cause our attitude to stink. The grudge you’ve been carrying against Amy is beginning to stink.”
“But, Mom,” began Paige, “she said . . .”
“I know. You’ve told me at least twenty times,” Mom reminded her. “And you have said some pretty nasty things about her, too.” Paige hadn’t thought of that. “Maybe it’s time to throw that stinking grudge out,” Mom said gently.
A few minutes later Paige called Amy. “Would you and Melissa like to go shopping with my mom and me today?”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you carrying a nasty, stinking grudge? Ask God to help you get rid of it today. Ask Him to give you a sweet and forgiving spirit.
TO MEMORIZE:
Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!
James 5:9
DON’T HOLD GRUDGES.
From the book
