Meditation

Read Romans 12:17-21                                —Romans 12:18 (NIV)

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

I am currently serving a 15-year prison sentence. Recently I had a visit from my children, whom I had not seen in three years. What joy! I noticed that my 8-year-old daughter, Ashley, was distant and looked sad. As she came close to me, she lowered her voice and said, “Papi, I have something to tell you. At my school a boy bothers me all the time. I’m tired of it and want it to stop. I want you to come and please talk to him.” I felt helpless. How could I possibly respond to my daughter?

I relied on what I have learned from God’s word and El Aposento Alto, the Spanish language edition of The Upper Room. I asked God to help me know how to respond to Ashley. I embraced her and said, “I cannot go talk to your teachers or to your classmate to stop this behavior. But we can do something! We can pray together and ask God to take care of this situation.” We closed our eyes and prayed.

Three months later, my children came to visit again. I asked my daughter about the situation with her classmate. She smiled and responded, “Do you remember how we prayed? Everything is better. He and I are best friends now!” 

Prayer—Lord Jesus, may your word be foremost in our hearts and minds as we work through our challenges. Amen.

Thought for the Day—God can help me with my most difficult struggles.

Iverson Emanuel Martinez (Cortes, Honduras)