When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:4–5)
As hard as she tried, it seemed as though little Adriana just couldn’t do it. She wanted nothing more than to be her teacher’s absolute most favorite student ever. So, it was always her focus from the time she descended the mountainous school bus steps until she slid back into the squishy seat for the drive home. Even in the evenings, her efforts to color inside the lines and learn every spelling word by heart were all for the same purpose. But try as she might, Mrs. Merrithew never seemed to love her more.
It stung when Phoebe received the coveted Christmas solo for the upcoming concert. Adriana was frustrated all the way to the depths of her five-year-old bones. As she mulled it over in her seat, she felt the volcano, and it finally boiled over into mutters and scribbles until little Adriana fiercely crumpled up her worksheet and threw it at her friend. She was just as shocked as anyone about her outburst, and she felt a kind hand on her shoulder when she put her head on her desk to cry out all the tears.
Mounting the bus stairs later that afternoon, Adriana knew that Mrs. Merrithew loved her. The kindness in her eyes as they discussed jealousy and forgiveness had spoken more loudly than any Christmas solo could.
Remember God’s incredible kindness to you and be thankful.
Elizabeth Rhyno is passionate about seeing people spiritually formed in worship. Wife to Scott and mom to three awesome teens, Elizabeth sees life as a joy journey.
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
