Simple Rule

In fifth grade, a home schooled girl named Pearl, was sent to elementary school for the first time in her life.
On the first morning, her teacher handed out a worksheet with a short story to read and questions to answer.
During recess, she corrected their work.

Pearl’s answers were unique.

Question 1: “Where does the story take place?”

Her answer, “Didn’t you read it? The story says where it takes place, you silly.”

Question 2: “What color is the girl’s shirt?”

Her answer, “What?! Are you brainless? Don’t you know your colors?”

Instead of feeling shock, her teacher guessed Pearl hadn’t seen a worksheet before.

After recess, she called Pearl to her desk asking if she understood that answering questions on a worksheet
was just like raising her hand and answering a question the teacher might ask in class.

“I didn’t know that,” Pearl admitted.

“So you didn’t mean to call me “brainless”, did you?” the teacher asked kindly.

Pearl’s eyes widened in fear. Her hand covered her mouth.

“And you won’t do it again,” the teacher smiled.

“Nooo!” Pearl blurted.

When we don’t know the rules its easy to mess-up.
A kindhearted teacher forgives such mistakes, and then explains the rules.
When we know the rules, we become accountable.
We know God’s rules for living, “Love God above all things, and love our neighbors as ourselves.”
It’s a simple rule to understand. Now that we know it, we’re accountable.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, show us how your love as we follow your teachings,
no matter how difficult, no matter how hard. Amen.

God’s rule is simple – love.


Permission granted by Rev. Peter Baldwin Panagore, First Radio Parish Church of America,
One Congress Square, Portland, Maine 04101 http://www.dailydevotions.org