What do you see?

[bluidkiti]

What do you see?

Allie leaned over the front seat of the car. '"I'm glad I can spend the day with you," she told her grandparents. "Mom and Dad expect too much from me. Nothing I do is good enough to suit them."

"Really?" asked Grandpa. "That's odd. Just yesterday your dad was bragging about you-saying what a good worker you are."

"A good worker?" echoed Allie. "But he . . ."

"Look!" exclaimed Grandma, pointing out the car window. "See that gorgeous bush? God is a marvelous artist." Allie and Grandpa looked blank. Grandma chuckled. "It was back there," she said. "It's too late to see it now."

Allie returned to her complaints, hoping for sympathy. "My sister's a pain, too," she said. "She always bugs me, but Mom makes me take her everywhere I go."

Grandma turned to look in the back seat. "Cindi," she called. "Where are you?" Grandma frowned. "She doesn't seem to be with you today," she murmured.

Allie grinned. "No, but I do have to take her almost everywhere," she said.

Grandma smiled. "Just the other day Cindi told me that you're the 'bestest big sister in the world.' She loves you very much, Allie."

Allie looked ashamed. "Well, I mean she . . ."

"Look!" Grandpa slowed the car. "See that deer?" He pointed. "Over there-in those trees." Allie squinted her eyes to see better, but neither she nor Grandma saw the deer. "Well, it's too late now," said Grandpa as they rounded a curve in the road.

Grandma turned to face Allie. "Isn't it strange how we see what we're looking for?" she asked. "I like flowers, so I watch for them-and I saw that beautiful bush. Grandpa likes wild animals, so he saw a deer."

Grandpa nodded. "When we look for bad things in others, we find them," he said, "and when we look for good things, we find them."

"God has given you a wonderful family, Allie," said Grandma softly. "Look for the good things in your home life. When you do, you'll find them. They . . ."

"Look!" cried Grandpa. "See that covey of quail in the grass along the road?"

"I see it!" exclaimed Allie. She paused, then added, "Did I tell you that Dad has to take a trip to Arizona and he's going to take me with him? I can't wait!"

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you look for good things in others, or do you look for bad things? Listen to yourself sometime. Are your remarks positive or negative? God wants His children to be gentle and courteous, not harsh and judgmental. Start to look for good and talk about it. Your day will be brighter, you'll be better company for others, and you'll be a better testimony for the Lord.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Speak evil of no one . . . be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. Titus 3:2