The Mangled Slipper

"Look what Otis did!" Maria showed her father her soggy, torn slipper. "I scolded him and put him outside.""I'm sorry, honey," Dad said as he took the mangled slipper. "I can see that little puppy needs a lot more training."Mom spoke from the doorway. "Maria, Iris is on the phone for you." She held out her phone.A few minutes later, Maria's voice boomed from the kitchen. "You always want me to do all the work, Iris. You're so lazy! I'm never doing a school project with you again.""What was that about?" asked Mom when Maria returned her phone. "I thought Iris was your best friend.""She…she just caught me at a bad time," mumbled Maria."Did your sister catch you at a bad time too?" asked Mom. "I heard you yell at her this morning."Maria blushed. "She always bothers me when I'm tired. But I told her I was sorry." Maria brightened. "I'll call Iris back and apologize to her."Just then Otis whined at the door. "I think Otis wants to come in and apologize too," said Dad, handing the chewed-up slipper to Maria.Maria looked at it. "Don't let him in," she grumbled crossly. "My slipper is ruined because of him."Dad nodded. "You know, Maria, even if you forgive Otis and let him in, it won't fix your slipper. That's mangled for good." "I know that," said Maria. "That's why I'm mad at him!""Well, feelings can be mangled just like your slipper," said Dad. "Once you've said something, it really can't be taken back. You can be sorry and say so, but the words have already hurt. Often there is no way to repair the damage.""That's right," said Mom. "There are several people you need to apologize to, but even if they forgive you, you've still hurt their feelings. You need to be more careful to control your tongue and not say hurtful things in the first place.""But I…I don't know how," said Maria."Think before you speak," said Dad. "When you feel angry, count to ten before you say anything. Most of all, remember that Jesus gives you the ability to love others the way He does. Trust Him to help you speak in love, not anger." -Harriett A. Durrell