Chameleon Christians

"I hate being cooped up with this dumb broken leg," Jack complained to his uncle. "All my friends are out having fun without me. It's not fair!""Well, I brought something that might help." Uncle George handed Jack a paper bag. Eagerly, Jack opened it. He found a jar containing a little green creature about three inches long. "It's a chameleon," said Uncle George. "Here--you can let him out of the jar. He'll enjoy running through your mother's houseplants on the windowsill."Jack laughed. "Not if Mom sees him, he won't," he said as he carefully placed his new pet on the stem of a large plant. "Hey! He looks different, Uncle George! His color is changing."Uncle George chuckled. "He must know he's in a new environment.""Cool!" said Jack. "I knew they changed colors, but I never saw it happen before. My teacher says people sometimes think chameleons only change color to blend in with their surroundings, but they also change color based on what kind of mood they're in or on how they feel…like if they're too warm or too cold." Uncle George nodded thoughtfully. "People can be like that too, can't they?""You mean like when someone's angry or embarrassed and their face turns red?" asked Jack.Uncle George laughed. "Actually, I was thinking about changing colors in another way. As Christians, it can be easy to smile and praise God when everything is going our way, but when something bad happens, we sometimes change colors fast. You wouldn't always know by watching us that we believe in a loving Savior who cares about us."Jack blushed. Ever since he'd broken his leg, he'd been pouting and feeling sorry for himself, and he hadn't been acting very nice toward his friends."Life is hard sometimes," Uncle George continued. "Jesus understands that--He experienced hard things too when He came to earth to save us. When bad things happen, we can share our feelings with Him. He'll remind us that He loves us, and the Holy Spirit will help us reflect that love in our attitude." Uncle George got up. "I'd better go. Enjoy your new pet. Watch and see what other colors he'll change to."Jack smiled. "Thanks, Uncle George. And thanks for reminding me that I can change colors too." -Matilda H. Nordtvedt