The Virtuous Daughter Magazine Fall 2016 | Page 26

That evening, her family all gathered
around the table for family devotions.
Amelia enjoyed this special time with
her family. Her father got out the Bible
and started reading in Mark, chapter 6,
verse 27, “But I say unto you which
hear, Love your enemies, do good to
them that hate you. Bless them that
curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use you.” Amelia’s heart
dropped into her stomach. She was to
love Ms. Averies?!?! No way, that old
grump! The next phrase popped into
her head, “Do good to them that hate
you!” Amelia thought over that statement. “Ms. Averies doesn’t necessarily
hate me….she just doesn’t like me,”
Amelia thought, trying to fight off her
conscience. Her father interrupted her
thoughts by announcing that they were
moving to John 15. Amelia let out a sigh
of relief. Hearing about how she should
love that grumpy neighbor of hers
made her uncomfortable. Her father
started reading at Chapter 15, verse 12
“This is my commandment that you love
one another as I have loved you.” Amelia’s heart jumped. “That’s it,” she
thought, “God loves me, and God also
loves Ms. Averies.” Amelia’s mind was
racing like a freight train. She thought
back to all the times she had disobeyed
her parents, and God. She had been unloveable. Maybe not in the way Ms.
Averies was, but still God loved her.
Amelia was filled with remorse for not

treating Ms. Averies right. She had been
so focused on how badly Ms. Averies
was treating her, that she had never
stopped to think of how she was
treating Ms. Averies. In her heart, Amelia resolved to be a kinder person towards Ms. Averies. She would try to
love her as God did.
The next day she woke up with a new
outlook on life. She determined to be
kind to Ms. Averies, no matter what
kind of mood she was in. Ms. Averies
opened the door with her usual expression, but Amelia smiled and commented on the beautiful day. Ms. Averies
gave Amelia a curious look, then proceeded to give her a list of the day’s
chores. Amelia sped through them,
humming as she went. She surprised
herself at how much better the day
could go when she focused on having a
positive attitude.
As the day came to an end, she hurried
to find Ms. Averies. Ms. Averies thanked
her for her work, then pausing she added, “You seem like a different girl, Amelia. I don’t know what it is that’s different, but I like it. You did good work today. I’ll see you tomorrow.” At that, Ms.
Averies smiled. Amelia’s face broke out
in a huge grin. Ms. Averies had smiledfor the first time since she’d started
working there, Ms. Averies had smiled!
Amelia said goodbye and nearly skipped
home.