GOOD ADVICE  (Read Romans 13:8-10)

Kim walked home, her eyes brimming with tears. A cold
ache filled her. "No one even sees me," she thought as her
schoolmates ran by, laughing. That night she cried herself
to sleep.

"Daddy, please, let's move back to Miami. I hate it
here!" she begged the next morning.

"But, honey, we can't," her father replied. "I'm sorry
you're so unhappy, but I can't quit my job."

Tears rolled down Kim's cheek. "We've been here
six weeks, and I still don't have one friend-not one!"

Mother looked up. "Kim, long ago I learned a little poem.
Listen," she said. "I went looking for a friend, but not one could be
found; I went out to be a friend, and friends were all around."

Kim wiped her face with a napkin. "What does that mean?"

Mother explained gently. "It means that you shouldn't worry
about finding a friend. Instead, look for someone who  needs a
friend."

Dad stoop up. "The Bible gives the same advice in the book of
Proverbs," he said. He squeezed her shoulder. "You've been feeling
sorry for yourself, honey.  It's time to think about others. Now grab
your books, and I'll give you a free ride to school."

When they got to school, Kim jumped from the car. "do what
God says-be friendly today," encouraged Dad. "He knows what
he's talking about."

As Dad drove away, Kim noticed a girl going up the walk. That
looks like the girl who sits across from me in homeroom, Kim
thought. What's her name? Oh, yes-Nadine. I wonder where all her
friends are. Maybe....

"Nadine, wait up," Kim called, "Could I walk with you?"

Nadine looked up, and a smile spread over her face. "You sure
can. I've been here for seven weeks, and you're the first person who
has even noticed me."

A warm feeling filled Kim, driving out the cold lonely ache.
Dad's right, she thought. God does know what he's talking about. B.W.

How about you? - Do you feel lonely? Left out? Do you always wait for others to speak to you first? Instead of waiting for someone to be a friend to you, do what God says-start today to be a friend. You'll find friends everywhere.

Key:  Be a Friend

Memorize: "A man who has friends must himself be friendly."  Proverbs 18:24

This is out of the book "The One Year Book of Devotions for Kids"  BUY IT  Copyright @ 1993 Children's Bible Hour

Updated 10/02/01