Bible Reading: Psalm 92:12-15

"Isn't Grandma too old to be teaching Sunday school?" Payton asked one day. "I mean, she's almost seventy!"

Mom laughed. "No, she's not too old at all! Her first graders are crazy about her. And she tells me she's learning and growing just as much as the kids are." Payton's eyebrows raised a little. He clearly was not convinced.

Some weeks later, Payton and his family were enjoying a vacation in the redwood and sequoia forests in California where they saw majestic old trees. "These trees grew from a seed so tiny that it takes more than twelve of them to completely cover a penny," a guide told them. "They are the tallest and oldest living things on earth. Some of these trees were probably already a thousand years old when Jesus was born."

"Wow! What makes them live so long?" asked Payton.

"The bark of these trees is sometimes two feet thick," the guide answered. "That helps them resist attacks from forest fires, insects, and diseases. And they're still growing. They grow very slowly, but they never stop growing as long as they live."

"Old, but still growing," Mom said softly to Payton. "Just like Grandma."

Payton grinned. "Well, she's not quite this tall, and she hasn't had her thousandth birthday yet."

Mom smiled as they walked along the path. "God put life into a tiny seed that let it grow up to be a monarch of the forest, and God is also working in Grandma's life. Ever since she put her trust in Jesus as a child, God has made that seed of faith in her heart grow and change her into a strong, mature Christian."

"Well, the thick bark on these trees protects them while they grow," said Payton. "What protected Grandma?"

"The unfailing love of God," Mom replied. "Jesus is always with us when we face temptation, disappointment, and sorrow. He also puts other Christians in our lives who demonstrate His love and care for us and help us learn more about Him."

"And now, even though Grandma's getting old, she's still growing and teaching others about Jesus," Payton said. "Maybe I'll call her Grandma Redwood!"

–Trudy VanderVeen

How About You?
Do you know older Christians who are still serving the Lord? Christians are a lot like trees--the older they get, the stronger they become. They can also help protect and strengthen the young saplings growing around them--kids like you! Learn all you can from the older Christians in your life, and trust God to help you grow strong in your own faith.

Today's Key Verse:
They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing. (NKJV) (Psalm 92:14)

Today's Key Thought:
Keep learning and growing

Bible Reading: Ephesians 3:16-19

Faith stepped out of the house alone with her soccer ball and sighed. Ever since her brothers had been born, her parents were always distracted. The twins always needed something, and it didn't feel like her parents had any time for her.

Faith had thought it might be fun to start playing soccer, but whenever she asked her dad to practice with her, he always said he was busy.

It's not fair! Faith thought as she kicked the ball against the side of the house. No one loves me anymore.

Her uncle's pickup pulled into the driveway, and Faith sighed again as he got out. "You're here to see the twins?" she asked.

"To see all of you." Her uncle walked over to her. "Playing soccer?"

Faith shrugged. "I was going to practice to see if I'm good enough for the team, but Dad doesn't have time to help me. He never does anymore." Her eyes filled with tears. "I think he just loves the twins now and not me."

"That's not true," Uncle Rick said. "He still loves you."

"It doesn't feel like it." Faith sniffled. "It doesn't feel like anyone loves me anymore."

"A lot of people do. I do." Uncle Rick put his hand on her head. "Something to remember though when it feels like people don't love you is that God always does. His love is bigger and better than any love we can get from anyone else."

Faith rested her foot on the soccer ball. "I guess I wasn't thinking about that."

"God's love is high and deep and wide," Uncle Rick said. "No matter what people do to disappoint you or make you feel unloved, you can count on His love. Jesus loves you so much He died for you. He will always be there for you and care for you when others let you down."

"Thanks," Faith said. Thinking about it made her feel a little better.

"Now, why don't I go inside and see if I can convince your dad to play soccer with us?" Uncle Rick said.

Faith smiled. "Really?"

Uncle Rick nodded. "I can try."

Faith hugged her uncle. "Thanks, Uncle Rick. And thanks for listening to me and reminding me that I'm loved."

–Bethany Acker

How About You?
Do you ever feel unloved? When your parents are distracted or your friends don't have time for you, do you worry that they don't care about you anymore? Friends and family members may not always do a good job of showing their love for you, but there is someone who always loves you even when it doesn't feel like it. God's love is bigger than anything, and He will never fail you. When others let you down, remember that Jesus is with you and that you are loved.

Today's Key Verse:
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (NIV) (1 John 3:1)

Today's Key Thought:
You are loved by God

Bible Reading: Matthew 1:21-23; Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:5-8

"Grandpa, look at this map book I found," said Casey.

"That's my old atlas," Grandpa answered. "I used that atlas to teach your mom about places of the world." Grandpa turned some pages and said, "See that green star? I put that on the town where I was born in Iowa. This other star is where Grandma was born." Then he turned to a page that showed the whole United States. There was a star on Iowa and a star on New Mexico.

"Look, here's New Mexico where we live," said Casey. She traced a line between the two states. "Grandpa, you started in Iowa, and now you and Grandma live in New Mexico, right across the street from us!"

"Yes, we moved a thousand miles to be close to the people we love most." Grandpa showed Casey another map with green stars on it. "My parents were born here, in Austria."

"Austria? Kangaroos live there!" Casey said.

"No, honey, kangaroos live in Australia. Austria is a country in Europe."

Casey turned some pages and found a map with a large gold star on it. Grandpa touched the star and said, "I know someone who was born here, and so do you."

"Is it Uncle Gilbert? Mom said he lives far away."

"No. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. I put a special star on it, like the star that shone there when He was born. After Jesus was born, what happened to Him?" Grandpa asked.

"He grew up, and He was the only person who never sinned. But we do sin, so we need a saver."

"Savior," corrected Grandpa. "Then what happened?"

"He died on the cross, but then He rose again, and now He lives in us because we trust in Him," said Casey.

"That's right. Grandma and I moved a long way to live close to you, but Jesus came all the way from heaven to save us so He could live in us. We were separated from Him because of our sin, so Jesus became human and died for us. When we trust in Him, He is always with us through the Holy Spirit, and one day we'll see Him face-to-face."

Casey smiled and said, "I'm glad He came to be our saver."

"Savior," said Grandpa with a wink. "Me too."

–Teresa Ambord

How About You?
Do you know someone who moved to be closer to family and friends? Many people try to live close to those they love, like their grandchildren. That might mean moving a great distance to live near them. Just think how far Jesus came to be close to those He loves--like you! He came all the way from heaven to save you so you could live with Him forever. Have you trusted in Him? (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.)

Today's Key Verse:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV) (John 3:16)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus came to save us

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 9:23-24; James 1:17; 3:13

"Guess what, Mom?" Taylor yelled breathlessly, running up the driveway to where her mom was painting the window trim of their new house. "I got the lead part in the school play!"

"Oh, Taylor! That's terrific!" Mom put her paintbrush down and hugged her daughter.

"Yeah," said Taylor. "It's about time my teachers notice how good at acting I am. Oh! We also got the results of our band tryouts today. I'm first chair flute! I did it!" Taylor danced around. "And I got an A on a tough math test too. This is the best day of my life!"

"Wow, honey! That's great. But…" Mom motioned for Taylor to sit down beside her on the porch swing.

"What is it?" asked Taylor.

"You do so well in math, and you're also very talented in music and drama," said Mom. "But how much credit can you actually take?"

Taylor was puzzled. "How much credit can I…" Suddenly her face broke into a smile. "Oh, sorry, Mom! You helped me with the audition lines for the play, and Dad quizzed me in math. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Okay! Enough!" Mom laughed. "That's not what I meant. Think about it this way--we're enjoying our brand-new house, right? Well, if it could talk, should it be bragging about how well-built and beautiful it is?"

"Of course not!" Taylor giggled. "Dad should get the credit! He built it--well, him and the workers from his construction company."

"So you think it would be ridiculous for the house to praise itself for its top-notch design and structure instead of giving credit to the builder?" Taylor nodded. "Well," Mom continued, "the Bible says we are God's workmanship. He's the one who created us and gave us the talents we have--yet nothing we can do could ever compare to the great things He has done, like saving us from sin and changing people's hearts. Sounds to me like He deserves the credit and praise, not us. What do you think?"

Taylor sighed. "You're right, Mom. I need to give God the credit for the things I can do."

–Lyn Jackson

How About You?
Do you give God credit for the things you can do? After all, He made you and gave you your talents and abilities. The Bible tells us not to boast (or brag) about anything except for the Lord, because He's the one who created us and sent His Son, Jesus, to save us by dying on the cross for our sins. Everything good comes from Him. Thank Him for all He's given you, and the next time you feel like bragging, brag about Him!

Today's Key Verse:
In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever. (NKJV) (Psalm 44:8)

Today's Key Thought:
Boast in the Lord

Bible Reading: Romans 6:11-13; 12:1-2

"Grandma, let's play a guessing game," Aiden said after his parents dropped him off at his grandmother's house for the afternoon. "I'll tell you a riddle about what I have in my backpack, and you try to guess what it is. Here goes. I come in lots of colors. I am constantly changing. You've most likely played with me. Guess what I am!"

"Hmm." Grandma rubbed her forehead. "Can I have another hint?"

"Nope. Time's up!" Aiden reached into his bag and pulled out some plastic containers. "It's playdough!"

"That was a good one!" said Grandma. "I suppose you're going to want to take that stuff out of the containers now, aren't you?" Aiden smiled and nodded, and for the next hour, Grandma and Aiden squished and molded the playdough into every shape they could think of.

"Yesterday I looked online to find facts about playdough for a project at school, which made me think to bring some here," Aiden said as he rolled a piece of yellow dough across the table. "Did you know that it was first invented in the 1930s as wallpaper cleaner? Or that over three billion containers of playdough have been sold? That's enough playdough to stretch all the way to the moon!" Aiden put the last piece of dough in place and showed off his creation. "Look, a hamburger and French fries!"

"Mmm, yummy!" Grandma pinched the end of her ball of blue dough to make a fin. "I made a blue whale."

"Cool!" said Aiden. "I love playdough. You can make anything with it!"

Grandma nodded. "Yes, it's fun to play with. But did you know we can learn from it too?" Aiden shook his head. "God's children should be like playdough in His hands," said Grandma. "Playdough is soft and workable, allowing people to shape it however they think is best. And we need to be the same with God, letting Him shape our attitudes and desires so we'll be more like Jesus."

"So, just like playdough, God will mold us the way He knows is best?" asked Aiden.

Grandma nodded. "We can trust Him to shape us into the people He wants us to be--people who reflect the love of Jesus to others."

-Lucinda J. Rollings

How About You?
Are you allowing God to shape you into the person He wants you to be? Or are you trying to conform to those around you or hold on to your old selfish ways? If you know Jesus as your Savior, God is working in your heart to make you more like Him. As He molds you and shapes you, He will help you turn away from sin and show His love to others. Trust Him to help you let go of sinful habits and make you more like Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we all are the work of your hands. (CSB) (Isaiah 64:8 )

Today's Key Thought:
Let God mold you