Read: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

“Why do we have to take Mrs. Anderson to church with us tomorrow?” asked Miriam. “She’s so boring—all she talks about is her cat. I can’t stand her!”

“I don’t like her either,” said Miriam’s little brother Brendon.

“Me neither!” said Flynn, the youngest.

“That’s enough!” said Mom. “That’s not a kind way to talk about an elderly woman who can’t get out on her own.”

A while later, Mom came to Miriam’s room. “Want to go for a ride? I have the dogs hooked up to the sled. Dad will stay here with the boys.”

“All right!” Miriam eagerly followed her mom outside. “You put Kodiak on the team today?” she asked as she looked at the dogs. “When we take him, the other dogs don’t run as well!”

“He needs more practice,” said Mom. Miriam frowned as she sat down on the sled. Mom hopped on the runners. “Let’s go!” Mom shouted. The dogs took off, and they glided onto the snow-packed road. Miriam yelled out in excitement as they raced to the top of the hill.

Then Kodiak spotted a branch sticking out of the snow. He pulled hard toward the side and stopped. For a minute, the other dogs tried to go on, but soon they all stopped and got tangled up in each other’s lines. Mom got off the sled to straighten them out.

“I knew this would happen!” said Miriam. “Why did we have to use Kodiak?”

“You should be more patient with him. After all, you two are kind of alike.”

“What do you mean?” asked Miriam in surprise.

“Kodiak sets a bad example for the other dogs, and you’ve been setting a bad example for your brothers. You often say mean things about people, and then they think it’s okay for them to think of people that way too. That’s not how Jesus wants us to treat others.”

Miriam sighed. “I know.”

Mom finished untangling the lines and got back onto the sled runners. “Jesus loves Mrs. Anderson—He died for her! His example of love is the one we should follow. Ask Him to help you love Mrs. Anderson like He does. Then you can set a good example for your brothers and encourage them to love her too.”

–Corrine C. Canavan-Fifield

How about you? What kind of example are you setting for your siblings and friends who are Christians? Think about your actions. Do the things you do and say line up with the things Jesus would do and say? Trust Him to help you follow His example so you can encourage other Christians to live that way too. Then you can work together to show others His love!

Today's Key Verse: Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Be a good example