Words to Treasure
A foolish person turns their back on their parent’s correction. But anyone who accepts correction shows understanding.
Proverbs 15:5
I mean it, young man. It is your job to clean your fish tank. Those poor little fish are swimming in soup.” His mom was very unhappy. “Go down and get a bowl to put your fish in while you clean it.”
Molson slumped down the stairs and walked straight into a doll tea party. Liana had every doll in the house sitting around the hallway waiting for tea. Cody their dog was licking jam off a doll’s face. Molson kicked one of the dolls clear across the room. The doll hit the wall with a soft plop. “You shouldn’t have all your dolls out.” Molson stomped through the party.
Liana started to cry. When she saw Cody licking the doll, she yelled. “Go away, Cody!” Poor Cody left the room with his tail between his legs.
We call what Molson and Liana did “kicking the dog.” Someone gets upset at you. You then go and get upset at someone else, usually someone smaller than you. Then that person (or pet) gets upset too like poor Cody. Molson kicked the doll because he was a little angry at his mom. Liana yelled at Cody because she was mad and knew the dog couldn’t yell back. It’s an anger chain reaction. Break the chain with mercy and kindness.
A servant was having trouble paying back the money he borrowed from the king. The king wasn’t happy, but showed understanding and mercy. This upset servant immediately went out and got mad at another servant who owed him money. But he didn’t show any mercy. When the king found out, things weren’t looking good for Mr. No-Mercy. Kicking the dog, Bible style. (See Matthew 18:21 – 35.)