Get out of the boat!

Nicki walked over to the edge of the school skating pond where some older girls were jeering and pointing at a classmate out on the ice. “Come on, Alex. Get up,”

called one girl.

“We want to see you fall again!” “He’s so clumsy,”

observed another loudly. The group laughed and hooted.

Those girls are teasing Alex, thought Niki angrily. She had

never spoken to him before because she was shy. But he

had wanted to. Alex didn’t seem to notice the teasing though. “Why don’t you all come skate?’

he called with a smile.

“And make fools of ourselves like you’re doing?”

asked one of the girls. After school Niki told her older sister, Shannon, about it. “Those girls were so mean, but Alex didn’t get mad,” she said. “You know,” replied Shannon, “my Sunday school teacher

talked about someone in the Bible kind of like Alex. It

was Peter. Remember when he walked on the water?”

“Yeah,” answered Niki. “He walked a little while, then

sank. Jesus had to rescue him. I always felt embarrassed

for Peter because he messed up.”

“But at least he tried,” answered Shannon with a twinkle

in her eye. “Niki, who do you think Jesus was more pleased with-the disciples who stayed in the boat,

or Peter?” “Peter, because he got out of the boat and tried,” said Niki with a smile.

“My teacher said that it’s especially important to ’get out

of the boat’ when it comes to trying new things and doing

things we think God wants us to do.” Niki nodded. “I think I will try to talk to Alex tomorrow. I want to tell him how brave he was to try skating in front of all those other kids.”

“Well,” said Shannon, “I think you’re brave for trying to make a new friend.” CBK

How about you?

Do you feel scared to try something new?

Are you shy when it comes to making new friends?

Are you afraid someone will laugh at you?

Often those who make fun of others are the most

afraid of all. Go ahead, get out of the boat!

key: Dare to try new things!

Children’s devotion taken from:

“The one year book of Devotions for kids #3

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois!