h2 style=”margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: block; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 125%; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left;”>Peace Be With You
GOD’S STANDARD OF UNITY PROVIDES FOR PEACE.
Bible Reading of the Day: Read 2 Corinthians 13:7-9, 11.
Verse of the Day: “Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11).
“I’m not talking to Maggie,” Beth declared. Her face was a mask of gloom.
“Why not?” her sister, Shannon, asked.
“She invited Katie to spend the night last Saturday instead of me,” Beth answered.
Shannon’s expression showed her confusion. “We weren’t even home last weekend!” she said. “We were at Uncle Mike’s.”
“I know, but Maggie didn’t know that! She still could have asked me.”
“Oh, give me a break, Beth! You’re not even around Saturday night, and you get mad at your best friend because she spent time with another friend?”
“That’s not the point!” Beth protested.
“What is the point?” Shannon asked.
“The point is … well, it’s just that she never even asked me!” Beth whined.
“But Maggie’s always asking you over. And it seems like she’s always coming over here.”
“Well, that’s all over now,” Beth said. “I’m not talking to her.”
“Are you saying Maggie’s not allowed to have any friends except you?” Shannon asked, her voice rising in exasperation.
“No,” Beth said. She crossed her arms defiantly. The two sisters stared at each other in silence for a few moments.
“Is that what you’ve been upset about all week?” Shannon asked, in a softer tone.
Beth nodded. It seemed like she’d spent every waking moment brooding about Maggie.
“Don’t you see what your attitude is doing to you?” Shannon asked. “You’re miserable! You probably spend every waking moment fuming over Maggie.”
“How did you know tha-?” Beth started to say, then stopped herself. “No, I don’t!” she said.
Shannon sighed. “You’re just hurting yourself, Beth. You and Maggie are friends. And when you start acting like a friend and stop this childish act of yours, you’ll be able to have some peace.”
Beth’s mouth hung open. Her sister was right. She did miss being with Maggie. She hadn’t known a moment’s peace since she stopped talking to her. She looked sheepishly at Shannon and sighed. “I hate it when you’re right,” she said.
TO DISCUSS: How does God’s standard of unity provide for peace? Be as specific as you can. What other blessings do you think unity brings?
TO PRAY: “Lord, thank you for the blessings of unity.”