It Takes Two

Luke 6:27-35

“That Keith Gordon really makes me mad!” said Joaquin as he sat in the living room with his mom. “He’s always saying mean things to me.”

Just then, three-year-old Miguel came into the room. “Play catch with me, Joaquin,” he begged.

“Not now,” replied Joaquin.

“Catch this, Joaquin!” interrupted Miguel as he threw a soft foam ball into Joaquin’s lap.

Joaquin looked at Miguel angrily. “I told you I don’t want to play right now,” he said as he tossed the ball back. But Miguel threw it right back. Now Joaquin was really annoyed. “Cut it out!” he shouted, throwing the ball to the other side of the room. With a happy grin, Miguel ran to retrieve it from under a table. He tossed it to Joaquin.

“Make him stop!” Joaquin whined in disgust. “He’s driving me crazy!” He kicked the ball in Miguel’s direction.

“That’s obvious,” said Mom dryly. “But it’s your fault, too, you know.”

“My fault?” Joaquin objected. “He’s the one who keeps throwing the ball!”

“But you’re the one who keeps throwing it back,” she said. “It takes two to keep the ball going. Next time he throws it,” whispered Mom, “put the ball down on the floor.”

Joaquin looked doubtful, but he followed his mother’s suggestion. Sure enough, Miguel soon grew tired of playing a one-person game and went off to do something else.

“Now, about your problem with Keith,” she said. “I think you may be part of the problem there, too. It sounds like Keith enjoys throwing mean words your way so you’ll . . .”

“Throw angry ones back,” finished Joaquin. “Maybe if I ignore him, he’ll quit.”

“Maybe,” answered Mom. “That would certainly be a step in the right direction. And you could also try saying nice things to him occasionally. Who knows, maybe you and Keith will be friends one day.”

How about You?

Remember, it takes two to make an argument. When someone irritates you, why not try saying something nice instead of responding in anger? You’ll be surprised at the difference it can make.

Memorize:

“Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” James 1:19