Lim’s First Customer – Today’s Family Devotion

Verse of the Day: “A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things” (Proverbs 18:9).

“Let’s go ride the Destroyer!” Nat said.

Lim looked at his watch. “I can’t,” he said. “I have to go help my mom.”

Lim was spending the weekend at the fairgrounds with his family, who were earning money by selling food at a booth close to the grandstand. His parents had given him certain hours every day when he had to work. He swept the floor, wiped counters, and helped fill the orders his mother and father took from customers. The rest of the time, he could ride the rides and walk around the fairgrounds with Nat, a new friend he had just met. Nat’s parents were showing their horses at the fair.

“Why do your parents make you work every day?” Nat asked.

“My parents don’t make me work.”

Lim wrinkled his nose. “I don’t know,” he said. “They just do.” He promised to meet Nat when he finished working, then jogged to the tent that sheltered his family’s booth. He strapped on an apron and was ready to work a few minutes early.

He worked with his mom for a long time, waiting on customers. Finally, when there was no one standing at the counter, Lim turned to his mom.

“Mom,” he said, “why do you and Dad make me work? Nat doesn’t have to help his parents.”

Mom wiped her hands on her apron. “I don’t know why Nat’s parents don’t ask him to work,” she said, “but your dad and I want you to for several reasons.” “Like what?” Lim’s tone was curious, not defiant.

“Well,” Mom answered, “one reason is that we need your help. You are part of our family, and we could not stay in business without your help.”

Lim nodded. He knew that his parents worked very hard, and he sometimes wished they had more people to help them.

“Also,” Mom continued, “your father and I want to teach you to work. We don’t want you to grow up lazy. That would not please us, and it would not please God.”

Lim thought about his mother’s words. He didn’t want to grow up lazy; he wanted to know how to work hard, just like his parents.

Just then, a customer approached the counter. Lim turned to his mother. “Can I wait on this customer myself?” he asked.

His mother nodded. Lim wiped his hands on his apron and stepped up to the counter.

TO DISCUSS: Why is it important for a person to work, rather than be lazy? Name some work that you’ve done this week. Why do you think it pleases your parents when you work hard? Why do you think it pleases God when you work hard?

TO PRAY: “Lord, guard us against a desire to be lazy.”