"I lost my right contact. If I move, I'm afraid I might step on it. I think it might have gone down the drain. Or it might-"
"Down the drain? They cost almost $100 each! Why didn't you have a washcloth or something over the hole?"
"I-I didn't think of it at the time. Don't yell at me. I feel bad enough as it is. You better pray, Mom."
"No, you'd better pray," her mother corrected. "If it's lost, you're the one who will have to fork over the money."
Improve your Vision
A Character story about love.
"Hurry up, Mom," Candy called. "I don't want to be late."
"Don't worry, Honey. We have plenty of time. Your appointment isn't until three. Why don't you call Marcy and see if she'd like to come to the church Christmas program on Sunday?"
"Marcy? You've got to be kidding! I'm not even talking to her, let alone inviting her to the program."
"Oh? What happened between you two this time?"
"She thinks she's so cool. You know how she laughed at me when I got glasses? Well, when I told the other girls that I was getting contacts today, Marcy had no end of smart comments. It made me sick. If she had to say something nice I don't think she could even think of anything. She makes me so mad!"
"So you're going to take it out on her by not talking to her, is that it?" Candy's mother asked. The words pricked her heart, but Candy wasn't about to back down.
"Well, what would you do? She's gotta learn some way that she can't treat other kids like dirt whenever she feels like it."
"Did you ever find out if Marcy is a Christian or not, Candy?"
"I think her actions speak for themselves," Candy sneered. "How could she be the way she talks?"
"So we know what you think. Tell me, what do you think God thinks of Marcy?"
"I think He's as disgusted with her and I am."
"Do you think He loves her and wants her to accept the Lord Jesus as her Saviour?"
"I suppose so. But she's so bad, I don't know if even God would forgive her." Candy was shocked at her words and spoke before her mother could respond. "Oh, I didn't mean that. But I am sure of one thing. It will be a long time before Marcy's heart is soft enough to even listen to spiritual things." Candy glanced at the clock. "Oh, we gotta run. I can't wait to get my new contacts!"
Her mother knew when Candy was home from school the next Monday. "Candace Mitchell. I've told you a thousand times not to slam the door. Now you march right back and close the door softly." When Candy turned around, her mother could see the deep scowl on her face. "And what storm were you in today?" Candy didn't answer a word. "I asked you a question, young lady, and I expect an answer. Sit down here at the table. Now tell me, why are you so angry?"
Candy looked down for some time without answering. When she did speak, her words spit forth like gun fire. "It's that stupid Marcy. She always has some stupid comment to make. She's so stupid I can't imagine anyone more stupider than her."
"So what did she say that upset you so?" her Mom asked softly.
"The other girls all thought I looked good without glasses. Bob even noticed me for the first time. At least I think he did. Then Marcy comes along and asks me if I traded my glasses for a seeing eye dog. If I weren't a Christian, I would have given her nose a new shape. It needs a new shape, one that won't be butting into other people's business."
Mrs. Mitchell shook her head. "Oh Candy, Candy. If only you would get your eyes off of yourself and see other people as God sees them. If only you could-" but just then the phone rang. Candy jumped up to answer it.
"It's for you, Mom." As Mrs. Mitchell began to talk, Candy went to the bathroom to take out her contacts. After a few minutes, Candy called, "Mom come quick!" Mrs. Mitchell said good-bye and raced up the stairs to see what was the matter. "Don't come in," Candy ordered. "I lost my right contact. If I move, I'm afraid I might step on it. What am I going to do?"
"Where did you notice it missing?" asked Mrs. Mitchell.
"I-I'm not sure. I think it might have gone down the drain. Or it might-"
"Down the drain? They cost almost $100 each! Why didn't you have a washcloth or something over the hole?"
"I-I didn't think of it at the time. Don't yell at me. I feel bad enough as it is. Give me a flashlight. Maybe I can see it if it's on the sink or floor." Mrs. Mitchell got the flashlight and Candy got on her knees. "You better pray, Mom."
"No, you'd better pray," her mother corrected. "If it's lost, you're the one who will have to fork over the money."
"Me? But it wasn't my fault? I didn't try to be careless."
"True, but that was our arrangement, remember? So, you pray."
Candy mumbled something and began to search. But after fifteen minutes of failure, she sat dejected on the edge of the tub. "Nothing! I don't have that kind of money. Will you pray, Mom? I-I just don't think my heart is right. I-I don't feel like God would answer me."
"Then my praying won't fix that," Mrs. Mitchell said from the doorway. "What are you going to do about it?"
Without another word, Candy sobbed, "Lord, I know I've had a rotten attitude toward Marcy. I know if she wants to see Christian love, she sure won't see it from me. Will you forgive me, and help me to love her the way you do?" When Candy finished and looked up, her face had a new radiance her mother had not seen for a while.
"That's my girl," said Mrs. Mitchell, returning the smile as they met at the door. "Wait. What's this?" She pulled something from Candy's dampened cheek. "It's the contact!"
"It is? Yippee! But how. . where. . ?"
"It must have still been in the corner of your eye. The tears probably washed it out. Thank the Lord for answered prayer, in my more ways than one!"
Jesus told the story of a woman who lost a coin. (Luke 15:8-10) She swept the house until she found it, and then had a party to celebrate. Jesus said that this is the kind of joy there is in heaven when one person turns to the Lord. Do you love the Lord enough to accept His gift of salvation? Do you love people enough to show them God's love?