The Crooked Paper Crown
Written for Bible Journey Plan. Our editorial standards.
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Romans 12:9-10 KJV
This is an original fictional illustration, not a historical report or an added Bible event.
At the school play, Daniel's paper crown slipped over one eye. A few children giggled. His friend Micah started to laugh too, then saw Daniel trying hard to keep speaking his lines.
Micah waited until the scene ended and helped straighten the crown. He told Daniel that he had remembered the whole speech. Later, when another child brought up the crooked crown, Micah talked about the brave way Daniel had kept going.
Romans teaches believers to love sincerely and honor one another. Micah did not have to pretend the crown had stayed straight. He could choose which part of the story to keep repeating. His friend had worked hard. A little kindness helped everyone remember more than the moment that had gone wrong.
A small step for today
Kindness should be real. Speak to someone with care even when there is no reward for doing it. Give another person a turn and be glad when that person does well. Paul teaches believers to love sincerely and honour one another. We can practise that at home, where ordinary words and small choices show what we mean.
For the grown-up reading along
Paul describes conduct that follows God's mercies. Love is to be sincere, joined to a rejection of evil and a willing honor toward other believers.
Read the KJV passage aloud. Explain unfamiliar words in ordinary language without changing the quotation.
Read further: Romans 12 in the King James Bible.