Read: Acts 16:16-31

"I didn't make the basketball team, Mom." Evelyn slumped down in a chair. "I'm not bragging or anything, but I am a good basketball player, you know."

"Yes, you are," agreed Mom. "But there were only two openings on the team, and the coach had to choose, didn't she? Who did make it?"

"Jena did. We all expected that--she's good! But the coach chose Ivy for the other opening. In the tryouts, I made lots more baskets than Ivy did, and I dribbled the ball longer too. But her dad is a teacher at school, and I think that's why she made it. It's not fair!"

Mom sighed. "I suppose that may be possible. If you really believe that, perhaps you should ask the coach about it, but be careful not to make accusations you can't prove. It may simply be that Ivy has some qualities needed on the team. Whatever happens, remember that life isn't always what we consider fair."

"I know," Evelyn said. "And that's just...not fair!"

"Remember the verse you learned a few weeks ago from the book of James?" asked Mom. "It says we should be joyful when we face trials."

Evelyn frowned. "Easy for James to say," she muttered unhappily.

"Think so?" asked Mom. "I'm sure you know that the early church faced a lot of persecution. Scholars tell us that many, if not all, of the apostles were martyrs--they were killed for their faith. James was one of them."

"Well...then he probably didn't think life was fair either," Evelyn admitted. "I guess it wasn't so easy for him."

"I guess not," agreed Mom. "But he and other members of the early church were willing to face very unfair situations because they wanted people to know about Jesus, who died for our sins even though He was the perfect Son of God. Talk about unfair! He took the punishment we deserved because He loves us, and when we face unfairness in our own lives, we can do it with a joyful attitude, knowing it's an opportunity for us to grow in our faith and show others the love of Jesus."

"Okay," said Evelyn. "I'll keep that in mind when I talk to the coach tomorrow."

-Linda Weddle

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever been treated unfairly? In today’s Bible reading, Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in jail for helping someone. That wasn’t fair, but instead of complaining, they sang! God used them through that experience to bring more people to Jesus, and He can also use you. Sometimes it may help to discuss the situation with others involved. It may not be easy, but you can face unfair situations with a joyful attitude because of what Jesus did for you.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: James 1:2 (KJV)