What's Inside
Read:
1 Samuel 16:4-7
Memorize:
1 Samuel 16:7 F For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
How about you?
Do you decide whether or not people can be your friends by looking at the type of clothes they wear? Perhaps they've not had all the advantages you've had. Perhaps no one has taught them what looks nice with what! Is there somebody you could help? Maybe you could make suggestions. Maybe you could do some shopping together -- with Mother's supervision, of course. But be very careful not to hurt your friend's feelings. Ask the Lord to show you how to help before you even try. And always remember that clothes are not really important. What is important is what is inside.
I don't think I'm going to hang around with Paula anymore, Cathy said as she sat down at the kitchen table.
"Really? Why is that?" asked Mother. "I remember you introduced me to her at the concert last month. She seemed like a nice girl."
"Well. . . ." Cathy hesitated. "She dresses funny. Her clothes never match!"
"Oh?" Mother stirred the sauce she was making. "That doesn't sound like a very good reason not to be friends with someone."
"Oh, Mother, you don't understand!" exclaimed Cathy. "Today she wore a fairly nice light pink shirt, but she wore it with ugly green and yellow pants! They looked awful together."
"Well, honey, maybe you could help Paula," suggested Mother. "Maybe no one has ever taught her how to match her clothes. The next time she wears that outfit, maybe you could say to her, 'I like that shirt, Paula. I think it would really look nice with your white pants' -- or whatever color you think would be good with it. But be sure to say it kindly. " Mother put an arm around her daughter. "Remember, Cathy, you're a Christian, and God wants you to be kind to other people. And I'm sure you know that God says it's not how a person looks on the outside that's most important, but what they're like inside." Cathy considered her mother's suggestion. "I never thought of that, Mom," she said. "I guess it is kind of silly to judge a person on whether their clothes match or not. I'll see what I can do to help Paula, but even if she doesn't change, I'll still be her friend."
Don't Judge By Appearance