I’m Sick!

People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.

PROVERBS 10:9

I REALLY DON’T FEEL LIKE going to school today. Maybe I’ll just say my stomach hurts. Or I’ll fake-barf in the bathroom and flush the toilet really quick. Bam! Day off.

You’ve surely never had these thoughts or pretended to be sick, right? Well . . .

There are days when it seems impossible to drag yourself out of bed and get on with the school routine. Getting up early, running for the bus or loading into the car on time, then piling into the classroom to start another day of schoolwork . . . it all seems too much when you’re lying in bed, cozy, relaxed, and tired.

You might fool your parents from time to time (or maybe only be tempted to fool them), but when you fake being sick and skip out on school responsibilities, it causes problems for you and usually for your parents. You have to make up work and catch up on what you missed. Your parents have to figure out what they’re going to do with you for the day if they have to miss work. Plus, you have to live with the fact that you deceived your parents.

Playing hooky is one of those things that sounds like fun but puts us on a crooked path, as the Bible says. We have to make choices with integrity. We have to be honest. So, it’s a lot more honest to grumble a bit and say you don’t feel like going to school—but to get up anyway and make a decision you can be proud of.

DO

What does integrity or honesty look like to you? Take a tour of your house and find a picture of someone or something that represents honesty to you. Maybe it’s a photo of your grandmother, who always tells you the truth. Maybe it’s a magazine cover with a picture of a scientist. How can you work on being honest like the person or thing in the picture?

PRAY

Dear God,

Thank you for guiding me to tell the truth and make choices with integrity. Please help me resist the temptation to play hooky, even when I’m tired. Amen.

READ

Proverbs 11:3; Hebrews 13:18