Hey, Carpool Crew! Happy Sunday! It’s day twenty of Proverbs for Your School Life. Today we’re talking about that moment when somebody wrecks your thing... and your brain starts planning payback before the Lego dust even settles. I’m Pastor Justin, and first, a big shout-out to Journee, Javonna, Jazhara, and Judah in Mississippi! That’s four J’s in one house, and you guys listen during your morning prayer time. That means a lot to me. And with baby sister Jenesis on the way, you’re about to have five J’s! Glad you’re part of the Carpool Crew. Here’s the one thing I want you to remember for the ride: **Let God handle the payback.** Proverbs 20:22 says, “Don’t say, ‘I will avenge this evil!’ Wait on the Lord, and he will rescue you.” Getting even feels like justice. They did something to me, so I’ll do something to them. Even. Except it doesn’t actually make things even. Now there are just two wrong things instead of one. And worse, you’ve handed your whole day over to the person who hurt you. Waiting on God doesn’t mean pretending it didn’t happen. It means letting God handle the scorekeeping. Think about Jesus. People lied about Him. Mocked Him. Hurt Him. And Jesus didn’t spend His time trying to get even. He trusted His Father with what was unfair. You can do that too. Imagine you spent three hours building an incredible Lego tower. Then your little brother comes flying through the room like a tornado... CRASH. Gone. Immediately your brain starts working. “Okay. Where’s his favorite stuffed animal? Because that thing is about to disappear.” That payback plan can feel pretty good for about five seconds. But instead, you stop. If you need to, tell a grown-up what happened. Then pray something simple: “God, that wasn’t fair. You handle it. Help me let it go.” Maybe your brother gets in trouble. Maybe he’s three and has absolutely no idea what just happened. Either way, you don’t have to carry it around all day. So here’s your one thing for today: **If somebody wrongs you, skip the payback. Tell a grown-up if you need to, and let God handle the scorekeeping.** You can even borrow this prayer: “God, that wasn’t fair. You handle it. Help me let it go.” Let’s go back to the one thing I want you to remember: **Let God handle the payback.** Remember, no matter where you are or how you’re listening, God loves you. And parents, want your kids hearing more truth, more often? Carpooling with Jesus+ gives you bonus episodes every week, including weekends, so faith isn’t just a weekday thing. You can subscribe right from the app you’re already using. *(APPLE VERSION ONLY: Apple Podcasts also has a yearly option for $34.99. That’s twelve months for about three months less than paying month to month.)* Before you go, answer this together: **What’s something unfair you need to stop carrying and hand over to God?** I’ll see you tomorrow on Carpooling with Jesus.
