Read: 1 Corinthians 12:14, 21-28

Brighton watched as Mom tied the sash of Kayleigh’s sparkly new dress and handed her a basket of flower petals. “It’s not fair,” Brighton muttered. She had never gotten to be a flower girl, but her little sister had been picked for that job in Aunt Erin’s wedding. “All I get to do is stand at the door and hand out programs,” Brighton said.

Mom frowned. “Brighton, please stop whining.”

“I’m not whining,” said Brighton, but she couldn’t make herself smile. It just isn’t fair! she thought again.

“Come here and see Aunt Erin’s flowers,” said Mom. Brighton walked over to the beautiful bouquet on the table. There were white roses and pink tulips, fragrant lilies, and dainty violets. “Which flower is the prettiest?” asked Mom.

Brighton studied them. “I like all of them,” she said. “It’s hard to pick one.”

“I agree,” said Mom. “It takes all the different kinds and colors to make this type of bouquet. Can you imagine the tulip crying because it doesn’t smell like the rose? Or the violet being upset because it’s smaller than the lily? That would be silly, wouldn’t it? Well, like flowers, people are different too. We all have different jobs to do.”

Brighton glanced up. “You want me to stop being mad that I can’t be a flower girl, don’t you?”

Mom nodded. “If you and Kayleigh were both flower girls, who would greet the guests? As the family of the bride, we need to work together to show Aunt Erin and Uncle Jeff how much we love them and make their guests feel welcome.”

Brighton sighed. “I guess you’re right.”

“We need to work together as God’s family too,” said Mom. “The Bible compares Christians to a body made up of many parts that function in different ways. We need to recognize that Jesus loves and died for all of us and that He’s given us different things to do so we can serve Him together. The things God has for you to do won’t be the same as those He has for Kayleigh, but whatever He gives you to do is important.”

“Like smiling as I greet everyone who comes to the wedding?” asked Brighton. Mom nodded. “Okay,” said Brighton. “Then I will!”

–Jennifer Quakenbush

How about you? Are you content doing the things God has given you to do? Or do you wish you could do what someone else is doing instead? God gives each Christian in the body of Christ—the church—different roles and tasks in serving Him and others. When you refuse to do your part, others miss out on having you share God’s love with them. Serve Jesus and show others His love by joyfully doing the things He’s given you to do.

Today's Key Verse: All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Every job is important