Carla stirred Jello into boiling water, added cold
water, and put the bowl with the watery
mixture in the refrigerator to set. "Didn't Dana
ask you to come over to play this afternoon?"
asked Mother after Carla had finished washing
the dishes.
Carla shrugged. "Yeah," she said, "but I don't
feel like playing with her. I'm beginning to think
she's hopeless. She always wants her own way,
and she says mean things about other kids--stuff
like that."
"Hm-m-m-m. That's too bad," said Mother.
"Well, maybe it's time to check your Jello."
Carla went to the refrigerator. "It's getting
there," she said. "It's ready for the fruit." She
added apples and bananas to the Jello while she
continued to complain about Dana.
"Tell me something," said Mother. "Dana
became a Christian just recently. Has she
improved at all since then?"
"Oh, sure." Carla nodded. "She used to be just
awful - nobody liked her. Now she's not as bad,
but she still has a long way to go."
"Like the Jello," said Mother.
"The Jello?" repeated Carla. "What do you
mean?"
"The Jello has improved since you started it, but
it has a long way to go, too," explained Mother.
"It isn't hopeless, though. In time it will be set
and ready to eat. It reminds me that Christians
don't usually 'set' all at once, either. It takes
time. As Christians grow in the Lord, they
improve in outward behavior. We need to be
patient with them."
"Maybe we can add some 'fruit' to help them."
Carla was enjoying the comparison. "Like. . .we
can pray for them, and we can be friendly."
"Good," approved Mother, "and let's remember
that you and I aren't finished yet, either. Let's
grow together."
HOW ABOUT YOU? Do you know Christians who
need a lot of improvement? Are you praying for
them? Are you helping them by being friendly
and encouraging them to attend church and
study God's Word? Do you set a good example
for them? God finishes what He starts. He'll
finish what He has begun in them--and in you.
"Being confident of this, that he who began a
good work in you will carry it on to completion
until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 1:6).
Author Unknown.