“Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” – 1 Peter 3:8
How well do you get along with others?
Steven and Alex were brothers, both in middle school. They generally liked doing things together, but from time to time they got into fights. The past few weeks, instead of walking home together, Alex had been walking with Ruth. This irritated Steven, who ended up walking home alone most days.
One afternoon when Alex got home he seemed kind of down. Steven said,
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing,” Alex responded.
“What? Did Ruth dump you?” Steven said snarkily.
“Shut up, Steven!’ Alex retorted.
Steven exclaimed, “Hah! Good. You’re better off. She’s way too good for you, anyway.”
Steven and Alex’s Dad came into the room a minute later to find the two of them rolling on the floor in a fight. After breaking the fight up and giving them each a minute to calm down, their Dad sat them down together and had them explain what was going on. They told him about what each had said. Then, after a couple of minutes, Alex told them Ruth had decided to walk home with another boy.
Their Dad said,
“Steven, how do you think you would feel if a girl you liked did that to you?”
“I guess I wouldn’t like it.”
Dad continued, “Can you see how what you said to Alex was hurtful?”
“Yeah, but he deserved it. He ditched me for the past two weeks!”
Dad turned to Alex, “You and Steven have always walked home together and there aren’t any other kids for him to walk with. Can you see how he might have been hurt when, instead of asking Ruth to join the two of you, you just left your brother to walk home alone?”
“I guess,” said Alex.
Dad looked at both of them, “I understand both of you were upset, but rather than fighting, you could have talked and thought about each other. Sometimes, it just takes putting yourself in someone else’s shoes to understand why they are acting how they acting and then you can start to work things out so you can still be friends. A little sympathy and compassion can go a long way.”
They all talked about it a little more and then Dad had the two of them say they were sorry and forgive each other.
Heavenly Father,
You have compassion towards me when I know I don’t deserve it. Next time someone angers me, help me to take the time to put myself in their shoes and understand why they are doing what they are doing. Help me to show them the same compassion You have shown me.
Amen.
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