"Family Look-Alikes"

Great-aunt Louisa gave Beth a hug at the family reunion. "You're the spittin' image of your mother," said the elderly lady.

Beth tried to smile, but she was getting very tired of hearing remarks like that. All morning people had been saying them. This family reunion isn't much fun, thought Beth. The only thing older people seem to talk about is how much I and all my cousins have grown and who we look like.

Things looked brighter when Uncle John organized a softball game for all the kids. Good! Maybe this reunion won't be totally boring after all! thought Beth as she raced toward the ball field. She loved to play ball. "I'll be the pitcher!" she shouted eagerly.

The game was really fun. Beth got three hitsone of them a home run. She was a good pitcher, too, and her team won the game seven to five.

As everyone headed back to the picnic tables, Great-aunt Louisa cornered Beth again. "Well, young lady," sputtered Aunt Louisa, "you may look like your mother, but you certainly don't act like her. She has always been a perfect lady, but you just showed us what a little tomboy you are!"

For a moment, Beth felt annoyed and didn't know what to say, but she managed to smile. She was glad her mother came to her rescue. "Yes, Aunt Louisa, Beth may look like me," said Mom, "but we're very pleased that she inherited her father's athletic abilities."

On the way home that evening, Mom turned to Beth. "Dad and I are very proud of the way you acted today," said Mom with a smile. "I know you got tired of hearing over and over again how much you look like me, but you were very polite and friendly."

Dad nodded. "You acted the way God would want you to act," he said. "You reacted to Aunt Louisa with kindness. That's what Jesus would have done. By your actions, I'd say you resembled not only your mother today, but your heavenly Father, too."

Beth was surprised and pleased. Thank You, Jesus, she prayed silently. Please help me remember to always do my best to be like You.