The Chocolate Milk Principle

It was the busiest time of the day - lunchtime when I walked up on a little sitting alone sulking and with no lunch; I immediately sat down beside him, obviously in mourning for some reason. I quickly learned that a classmate had falsely accused him, and no one had come to his defense. When you are under double digits in age, this is still a real problem. I coaxed my sad little one to step aside with me and share his heart from start to finish. When he was through, I knew we needed to call in the accused and get this straightened out. I dreaded this because no one saw it happen. Many times, over the years, I had to play the "He Said, She Said" game and decide with fairness who was at fault.

When I returned with the accused, I fully expected to referee an argument or dissect the happening bit by bit to find out who was the guilty one. Yet, before I could even pull out my tried-and-true elementary tactics for interrogation, my plan ended abruptly.

I was supposed to see a scowl on the face of the offended, arms crossed swinging his short, little legs in the oversized chair he sat in. That's not at all what I saw. The offended was holding out a chocolate milk for his adversary. I was puzzled. Was this a prank? He said, " I thought you might like some chocolate milk, so I saved this for you." That's all there was to it. Love had indeed covered a multitude of sins. It was the first time I had witnessed chocolate milk as a peace offering.

I thought about this incident long and hard. If only we could understand the power of the Chocolate Milk Principle. If we could lay aside nursing the wrongs committed against us. If we could think of others before ourselves so much, we would be so concerned about their good that we would willingly let go of offenses. If we could see the value of giving mercy and, in return, gaining peace.

If only we truly understood the power of the Chocolate Milk Principle.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:13

photo credit: clipground.com

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