A Tough Shell

TAP! TAP! TAP! Two hammers thudded on the walnut shells. Ben and his dad were stripping the thick outer shells from nuts they had gathered in the woods. "Ugh!" exclaimed Ben, looking at the stains on his gloves. "It was fun picking these up, but they sure are messy!""Sure are," said Dad. "But just think how good Grandma's black walnut cake will taste when she uses these. It will be worth all the effort."As they continued working, Ben talked about school. "Did I tell you about the new kid in my class, Dad? His name is Collin, and he's weird!""Why do you say that?" asked Dad. "He always talks too loud, and he thinks he's such a tough guy," replied Ben. "I just don't like him."Dad worked in silence for a while. Then he picked up another walnut and held it out. "Maybe Collin is like this nut.""Yeah--a tough nut to crack!" said Ben."You don't know him very well yet, do you?" said Dad. He tapped the nut with his hammer. "Walnuts grow with this soft, spongy covering, and after we take that off, there's still a hard shell, so we can't see the good nutmeat on the inside. Collin may be like that. He may be quite different from who you think he is."Ben frowned. "You mean he may just be putting on a tough act?""It's important to try and see others as God sees them," Dad said. "God loves each and every one of us, and He knows exactly what our hearts look like. When people are afraid or insecure, they sometimes act tough to hide their feelings." Dad finished removing the outer shell from the nut. "Have you ever done that?" "I don't know," said Ben. "Maybe." Dad nodded. "Well, with God's help, maybe you could get past Collin's outer shell. When you see him as someone God loves--someone Jesus died on the cross to save--it will help you be more patient and understanding as you get to know him. Then see what God does in both of you."Ben considered how he could get to know Collin better. "He was watching us play soccer at recess," Ben said. "Maybe he'd want to join us."–Judith K. Boogaart