Published 9/11/19
By Greg Johnson
What If...
It’s Sunday afternoon and you just arrived home from church. The weather doesn’t look too promising and there’s not much on the tube. Dad comes to the rescue for a while by getting out the Scrabble game and keeping it lively. That kills an hour and a half. But even you know you can’t let him entertain you all day.
Time for Plan B. You go to your room, grab a book and start reading. After about half an hour, your eyes get heavy and you fall fast asleep... for an hour! Mom wakes you up with an offer for an afternoon snack. Hey, that’s a no-brainer.
It’s still only late afternoon. After pestering your little brother for a while, you head down the street to see what a friend is doing. Not home. So you decide to walk down to the school playground to see if there’s anything happening down there. Surprisingly, it’s deserted. The clouds must have kept everyone away. By the time you walk in the door back at home you’re going crazy with boredom. But of course, Mom has a great suggestion: “A few chores will help pass the time.”
Good ol’ Mom! Always one to come to the rescue.
After you’re done sweeping, raking, and vacuuming the car, it’s dinner time. That’s when you hear the best news of the day.
“You know how you all have been wanting to see that movie at the two-dollar theater?” Dad says.
Everyone’s eyes light up.
“Well, it’s been kind of a boring day. Why don’t we jump in the car and try to catch the early evening show?” he says.
Fabulous!
While Dad finishes up the dishes and you’re getting ready, the phone rings. Mom says it’s for you, but to make it quick.
“Are you still coming over tonight? Asks the voice on the other end.
“Coming over? Tonight? What do you mean?” you say in a surprised tone.
“Don’t you remember you told me as we were leaving school Friday that you’d come over Sunday night and help me with our science homework? Well, I’m ready for some help, and my mom said she’d pick you up.”
“Oh, yeah. Now I remember. Well...”
Questions to Think On
• What do you think you would say? Why?
• Have you ever had to choose between keeping your word and doing something you really wanted to do? What did you do?
• How important is it to you that other people keep their word with you?
• What do you see as a potential solution to this situation?
• Mom and Dad: What would you recommend your child do?
What Does God Have to Say?
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful. Proverbs 12:22
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
(c)
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