Dad’s Secret
GOD COMMANDS US TO BE HUMBLE, NOT PROUD.
Bible Reading of the Day: Read Ephesians 4:1-3.
Verse of the Day: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5, NIV).
“My dad’s better than your dad!” little Keith said. He sat on his tricycle in front of the neighbor’s house. His friend Rachel blocked his way.
“Is not!” Rachel countered. “My dad can beat up your dad!”
“No he can’t!” Keith said. “And your bike is old and ugly. Mine is better!”
“Is not!” Rachel repeated. “My bike can go faster than your bike!”
“Oh yeah?” Keith argued.
“Yeah!” Rachel said. Then, as if to prove her point, she turned her handlebars and headed down the sidewalk. “I can beat you to the corner.”
“No fair!” Keith shouted without moving. “You had a head start!” Suddenly, he saw a shadow on the sidewalk. He turned and saw his dad standing beside him.
“What was that all about?” Dad asked.
“I was just telling Rachel that my dad’s better than hers.” Keith looked up, smiling.
Dad squatted beside Keith. “And what did Rachel say?”
Keith’s smile disappeared. “She said her dad can beat you up.”
Dad chuckled and placed a hand on Keith’s shoulder. “Maybe he could,” he said with a wink. “But that’s not as important to me as what you said.”
“You mean when I said you’re better than her dad?”
Dad nodded. “And when you said your bike was better than hers. Do you know what you were doing when you said those things?”
“No,” Keith said quietly.
“You were bragging, Son,” Dad said. “And do you know what God thinks about bragging?” Keith shook his head. “He doesn’t like it very much,” Dad answered. “In fact, God says we should be humble. That means we shouldn’t brag, and we shouldn’t act like we’re better or more important than someone else.”
Keith looked up and saw Rachel racing back up the sidewalk toward him. “Do I have to tell Rachel I’m sorry?” he asked.
“I think you should,” Dad said, smiling. He stood and stretched his back.
“OK,” Keith said. “But I still think you’re the best dad in the world.”
Dad laughed and rubbed Keith’s head. “I’m glad you feel that way,” he said, “but we’ll make that our secret, OK?”
“OK,” Keith answered.
TO DISCUSS: Do you know people who try to act as if they are more important than everyone else? How do you think that makes others feel? How do you think it makes God feel? Which is better, pride or humility? Why?
TO PRAY: “Lord, forgive us for bragging and for trying to act important. We want to please you by our words and our actions.”