Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Ephesians 6:1

'Jake! It's washday. I can't do it myself.' Mother sounded firm.

'But Mom. We planned to go swimming. The boys are on their way over.' Jake scowled. 'I promised.

'It's Monday. You should have thought about that before making any other promises.'

Summer on the prairie farm was hot. Too hot to wind the big wooden handle on the outdoor washing machine for fifteen minutes. Too hot to force the wet clothes through the wringer - then start all over again with another load. Too hot for anything - except a nice cool swim in the pond.

'Maybe I'll just sneak away, and call on the boys instead,' Jake thought. Oh, how he wanted to swim. But Jake knew his Mom couldn't do the wash without his help. So he trudged to the washing machine and got started.

When the boys came along the road and saw Jake working, they didn't even come into the yard. As they strolled away, Jake noticed they were munching on some apples.

A few minutes later, as Jim helped Mom hang the wash on the drying line, he heard the wail of a police siren. The town police car appeared, and stopped up the road. The policeman talked to the boys, then bundled them into the car.

'Looks like your friends are in trouble,' Mom said. 'Wonder where they got those apples.'

Jake didn't answer. He knew. And as the breeze blew the cool wet bed sheets on to his face, he was suddenly glad he had obeyed his mother.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father. Help me to do what my parents say - for this is right. Amen.</i><br><br>Jake Peters. Winnipeg, Canada.