Bible Reading: Galatians 6:9-10

Imani plopped down in the grass next to the garden. "I'm never talking to that girl again!"

"Who? And why not?" asked Dad without looking up. He was planting a row of carrots.

"Natalia--the new girl down the street. I'm tired of trying to be friends with her. I said hi to her three times, and all she did was look down. Then this morning I invited her to play kickball with some of the other neighborhood kids, but she said, 'No, thanks,' and quickly walked away. She's so rude!" Imani spotted the garden hose and remembered her little patch of marigolds near her bedroom window. She began to uncoil the long green hose.

"What are you doing with that?" asked Dad.

"It's pretty hot outside, so I'm going to water my flowers," Imani replied.

"Why bother?" said Dad. "The seeds aren't growing. You planted them ten days ago, but I don't see anything happening. They must be duds." He fanned his face with his cap.

"You've gotta be joking, Dad," said Imani. "You know it takes time for seeds to grow. Just watch. Any day now flowers will be sticking their little green leaves up out of the ground."

Dad smiled. "You seem to have faith that those marigold seeds you planted will grow. Why don't you have faith in the friendship seeds you've been planting?"

"Friendship seeds?" asked Imani in surprise.

"That's right," said Dad. "Each time you reach out and show kindness to Natalia, you're planting a seed of friendship. Just like your marigolds, you can't always see anything growing at first, but I think you should keep watering the seeds you planted. Don't give up trying to be friends with Natalia. Be patient with her and trust Jesus to make the seeds of friendship you plant grow. Remember that He is always kind and patient with us even when we don't respond right away, and He'll help you be that kind of friend too."

Imani dropped the hose and turned off the water. "I'll take care of this later," she said. "I'm going to water my friendship seeds instead and see if Natalia wants to come over for ice cream."

–Teresa M. Beverly

How About You?
Do you get discouraged when your efforts to reach out to others aren't appreciated or accepted? Do you keep on being friendly? Remember that making friends is a lot like planting seeds--it takes time for friendship to grow. Trust Jesus to help you plant friendship seeds by showing His love to others and to make the seeds you plant grow.

Today's Key Verse:
So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. (NLT) (Galatians 6:9 )

Today's Key Thought:
Plant seeds of friendship