Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Good and Bad (05/07/09)
-
TITLE: Cassie | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Meiners
05/08/09 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
“Children! Please, quiet down.” With a stern look, our choir director, Miss Loveland, reminded us we had one week to learn the new song.
“Now, let’s try it again,” and with arm raised for our attention, she began to count – one, two, three.”
Fifteen children raised their voices in song. “Jesus went about doing good, the Bible tells me so……..”
As the voices drifted off singing the rest of the song, my mind stopped on the word good. What exactly did Jesus mean by that? What good things did he do? Did he expect me to do good as well?
As I pondered this, I thought of the many times that Jesus healed the sick and played with the children. He was kind to a tax collector and took time to talk to a sinful woman at the well. He even said we were to pray for our enemies. Hrumph! I bet Jesus didn’t have someone like Cassie in his life. Yet, Jesus was good, and he probably would have been good to Cassie.
“Jesus, you don’t know how Cassie treats me. She is mean and treats me badly. What am I to do?”
“Be kind” Jesus seemed to whisper in my ear.
“But what if I don’t want to be kind to her?”
“This is a choice daughter. You have to choose to be kind to her, and, in your choosing to be kind, you will bring delight to my heart.”
Well, I certainly did want to delight the heart of Jesus.
“Jesus, what is it you want me to do? How can I show kindness to Cassie?”
“Daughter, you have a birthday party coming. Invite Cassie to your party.”
”Say what? Not on your life Jesus. Don’t ask me to do this. You know she will do everything she can to make my day miserable. She always has to be the center of attention. Please don’t ask me to do this.”
“Daughter, obey me. I will take care of Cassie’s heart.”
With a sense of dread, and a little bit of anger, I took a birthday invitation to school on Monday with the intent of giving it to Cassie. I almost hoped she would reject it. I would even be elated if she simply tore the invitation into a hundred little pieces and threw it on the ground. What if she accepts it?
“Hi, Cassie”, I said as cheerfully as I could. “I have something for you.”
“What?” Cassie asked with a scowl on her face.
“I want to invite you to my birthday party next Saturday.”
As Cassie stood there, with a bewildered look, I had to smile inside. For once in her lifetime she was at a loss for words. She thanked me, took the invitation, and walked away.
Okay, Jesus. I did what you asked. I wonder. Will she actually show up at my house? More importantly, will she leave her bad behavior at home?
Finally, my birthday! Eight little girls showed up for my party, including Cassie. We had a great time. Cassie was friendly, and not once did she say anything bad to me or treat me in an unkind way.
“Wow, Jesus. You really did work on her heart. I’m glad I listened to you. Showing a little kindness really does have its benefits. Maybe now Cassie and I can become good friends.”
I truly hope so.
The next day our little choir was on stage for our “big performance”. Miss Loveland took her position in front of us. Fifteen boys and girls focused their attention on her upraised hands. With one voice (a loud voice at that), we began to sing,
“Jesus went about doing good, the Bible tells me so. He healed the sick and healed the blind. To little children he was kind. Jesus went about doing good, the Bible tells me so.”
As we concluded our song, I saw Cassie in the audience with a big smile on her face.
“Jesus”, I prayed, “It is so good to have Cassie as my good friend again. Thank you for taking the bad out of her heart and drawing her close to you. Help us to, forever, be the best of friends. I love you Jesus, and, I love Cassie too.”
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.