The Puzzle Piece under the Chair
Written for Bible Journey Plan. Our editorial standards.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 KJV
This is an original fictional illustration, not a historical report or an added Bible event.
Mia had almost finished her puzzle when her brother bumped the table. Three pieces fell out, and one disappeared under a chair. Mia opened her mouth to shout.
Then she saw him kneeling to find the missing piece. She took a breath and helped lift the chair. He apologized, and together they put the corner back in place.
The Bible says charity is patient and kind. Charity means love that cares about another person's good. Mia still wanted her brother to be careful. She could say that without making him feel that he mattered less than cardboard pieces. The finished puzzle looked the same as it would have before the bump. The way Mia treated her brother was the more important work on the table that afternoon.
A small step for today
Love can be seen while you wait for a turn. Be patient and keep your words kind. You do not have to be first in every game or win every argument. When a friend makes a mistake, do not enjoy making the person feel small. These everyday choices give love something useful to do.
For the grown-up reading along
Paul describes charity in a church troubled by pride and rivalry over spiritual gifts. The description applies to marriage, but its original concern includes the whole fellowship of believers.
Read the KJV passage aloud. Explain unfamiliar words in ordinary language without changing the quotation.
Read further: 1 Corinthians 13 in the King James Bible.