Bible Reading: Psalms 42:4-8; 73:21-26

"Maria!" Dad called. "Your aunt and uncle will be here soon. Can you come down and help with dinner?"

Maria sighed and tossed the book she was reading on the floor. The last thing she wanted to do was help with Thanksgiving dinner. It was their first Thanksgiving without Mom, and it wouldn't be the same, no matter how much food they cooked.

When Maria shuffled into the kitchen, Dad smiled at her. "Want to learn how to carve a turkey?" he asked. Maria shrugged, which Dad took to mean yes, she did.

After Dad explained what to do, Maria began slicing the turkey, but the knife wouldn't go all the way through. "Dad, this isn't cutting right, it's--it's frozen!"

Dad took the knife and tried to make a cut, but it wouldn't go any deeper than a few inches. The middle was still frozen solid. Dad groaned. "I must not have let it thaw long enough."

"Why are we even trying to cook a turkey anyway?" bellowed Maria. "Mom's gone, and it won't be the same. I don't care if people are coming, I don't want Thanksgiving!"

Maria ran to her room and collapsed onto the bed, sobbing. A few minutes later Dad came in and sat down.

"Maria, I know it's been hard for you since Mom died. When something terrible like that happens, it can take a long time to get past the anger and sadness. It's okay to feel those things, and it's important to acknowledge our feelings and work through them, because we don't want our hearts to become cold and hard like that turkey." Dad gently brushed a tear from Maria's cheek. "The turkey needed more time to thaw than I realized, but if I'd just left it in the freezer, it never would have thawed at all. Right now your heart needs to thaw, and one way to help it along is to be with your family today. We love you, and Jesus loves you, and He wants to help you heal. One way He brings that healing into your life is through people who can be there for you and share His love with you when you're hurting."

Maria lifted her head from the pillow and wiped her eyes. "Okay, Dad. I'll come to Thanksgiving." She smiled. "But we'd better hurry and order some takeout."

- Courtney Lasater

How About You?
Have you experienced something that's caused you a lot of anger and sadness? Maybe your parents divorced or a friend hurt you. Feeling angry and sad is normal, and you should let an adult know how you feel so they can help. It's important to work through those feelings so you can heal. Jesus knows how you feel, and He wants to help you. He often does that by putting people in your life who can offer their love and support. It may take time, but He can help you heal.

Today's Key Verse:
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (NIV) (Psalm 34:18)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus wants to help you heal

Bible Reading: Psalm 100

"I pray today!" Jameson announced as his family sat around the breakfast table. Dad nodded at the little boy, and they all bowed their heads. "Thank you, God, for bacon an' eggs an' milk an' toast an' orange juice," said Jameson. He paused and peeked through his fingers. "An' jam," he added. "Amen."

"Thank you, Jameson," said Dad. He shot a look at Elliot and London, who were giggling at their little brother.

After breakfast, everyone went outside to enjoy the beautiful day. When it was time for lunch, Mom called them together around the picnic table. "We'll pray first, and then you can all help get the hamburgers off the grill and get the rest of the food on the table."

"I pray," announced Jameson again. Once more they all bowed their heads. "Thank you for…" Jameson paused a long moment as he looked at the table. There was no food on it yet. "For plates an' knives an' forks an' spoons an' cups an' napkins an' salt," Jameson said. "Amen."

Elliot and London snickered out loud. But Dad smiled at his younger son. "I'm glad you thanked God for all those things today. We usually take them for granted and fail to give thanks for them."

"Yes," Mom said as she got up. "While we're getting everything on the table, why don't you think of some other things we don't often remember to thank the Lord for. You go first, Elliot."

"Uhh," Elliot murmured as he got busy with the hamburgers, "we should be thankful for…uh… for our grill."

"Good," said Dad. "How about it, London?"

London was ready. "For pepper--Jameson forgot that."

"And for a picnic table," added Elliot quickly.

"And picnic benches," said London and Elliot together.

"An' food!" shouted Jameson as Mom set a platter of hamburgers and a bowl of fruit salad on the table.

"And for a little child to remind us of the many small blessings God has given us in addition to His greatest blessing of all--His Son, Jesus," said Mom with a smile. "Dig in."

- Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Are you thankful this Thanksgiving season--for everything? Look around you. What things do you take for granted day after day and never thank the Lord for? Take a few moments to thank Him right now. He loves you and has filled your life with blessings that point to the greatest blessing of all--Jesus, who paid the price of our sin so we could have eternal life. Thank God for all the wonderful things He has given you, big and small.

Today's Key Verse:
Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (ERV) (Ephesians 5:20)

Today's Key Thought:
Give thanks for everything

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10

"I do it!" said Isla insistently. Her balloon was stuck up on a shelf, and her mother had offered to help her get it down. Isla was two, and she liked to do things all by herself.

"All right, you do it," said Mom as Madeline came into the room. "How was school, Maddy?"

"Okay," said Madeline. "But I don't seem to be making any headway with Kenna." She sighed and set down her backpack. "Ever since she went to church with me a few weeks ago, she's had questions about Jesus. I tried to explain it to her today, but she still seems to think she can be saved because her parents taught her good morals and she hasn't lived a bad life." Madeline glanced down at Isla, who was dragging a kiddie chair across the room. "What's she doing?"

"She was bopping her balloon in the air and it got caught on the top shelf. She's trying very hard to get it down. I was going to help her, but she told me very firmly, 'I do it.'"

Madeline grinned. "That sounds like her, but she'll never be able to reach it."

They watched as Isla found a fairy wand in her toy box. She stood on the chair and reached with the wand, but she couldn't dislodge the balloon. After trying several times, she turned to her mother in defeat. "You do it," she said mournfully.

With a smile, Mom reached up, took down the balloon, and handed it to her little daughter, who contentedly ran off with her prize.

"Isla just gave me an idea that might help you with Kenna," said Mom. "Tomorrow, you could tell her about Isla's struggle to get the balloon by herself. Explain that just like Isla was too short to reach it--even with all her creative efforts--each of us falls short of God's glory and goodness, regardless of how good we think we may be. We've all sinned by doing wrong things. Just like Isla had to admit she couldn't get her balloon by herself, we need to admit that we can't save ourselves. The only one who can save us from sin is Jesus Christ."

Madeline nodded. "Good idea, Mom!"

- Shawna Arthurs

How About You?
Have you admitted that you can't save yourself from sin? Or do you think just being good is enough? Like everyone else, you are a sinner, and all your good deeds fall short of what's required for you to have eternal life with God. But God sent His perfect Son, Jesus, to die for your sin so that you could be saved. You can only have eternal life by trusting in Him. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (NKJV) (Romans 3:23)

Today's Key Thought:
Only Jesus can save you

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

"Annie's house is huge! Did you see her bedroom?" Rayne asked her sister when they got home after visiting their new friend.

"What about her basement?" Lily said. "They had a huge TV with tons of movies and video games."

"The yard was awesome too," Rayne said. "I'm so jealous of their pool."

"I wish we had a house that cool," said Lily. "I wouldn't ever want to leave!"

Rayne nodded and sighed as she looked around their small living room. Their TV wasn't even a quarter the size of the one in Annie's basement. "It's not fair."

Lily made a face. "We don't even get our own bedrooms."

Their mom came into the room and gave them a quizzical look. "You two don't look too happy. Didn't you have a good time at Annie's?"

"It was great." Rayne slouched on the couch.

Lily sighed. "But now we're back to reality."

Mom lifted a brow. "What does that mean?"

"Our house isn't as nice as Annie's. We don't have anything fun to do here," Lily said.

"Nothing," Rayne agreed.

Mom shook her head. "This morning you two couldn't get enough of the tire swing in the backyard. You have plenty to do here. You just have a case of jealousy, which can be a real downer."

Rayne straightened up on the couch. "The Bible tells us not to be jealous."

Mom nodded. "It's often easy for us to think we'd be happier with what someone else has, when in reality, jealousy hurts our relationships and makes us forget how much we do have. The Bible warns us against jealousy because God knows the things we own will never satisfy us. There's only one way to have true joy and contentment. Do you know what it is?"

"Is it Jesus?" asked Lily.

"Yes!" said Mom. "When we look to Him for joy and satisfaction and are thankful for the things He's given us--even though they may be different from what someone else has--we can be content in any situation. The things we own are temporary, but the love, joy, and peace we have in Jesus last forever!"

Rayne looked at her sister. "Come on," she said. "Let's go play in the backyard."

Lily grinned. "Maybe Annie can come try out our tire swing!"

- Bethany Acker

How About You?
Are you jealous of someone? Do you wish you had something they have? If you know Jesus, you already have the only thing that can make you truly content--eternal life with Him. Material things are nice, and we should be thankful for what God has given us, but lasting blessings are only found in Jesus. When we look to Him for joy instead of looking at what others have, we can feel content instead of jealous.

Today's Key Verse:
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you." (NIV) (Hebrews 13:5)

Today's Key Thought:
Be content, not jealous

Bible Reading: Isaiah 46:3-4; 1 Timothy 5:1-4

Jordyn gave her battered old teddy bear a hug before setting him on her pillow. Her brother smirked as he walked by. "Why don't you give that ratty old thing a decent burial--in a garbage can?"

"Oh, be quiet, Aaron," said Jordyn, frowning. "You're just mean!"

"Let's go, kids!" Mom called down the hall. Jordyn sighed and made a face. They were going to visit Mom's Aunt Dora, who lived in a nursing home.

"Do we have to go?" asked Aaron. "We don't like going there. It's boring, and she always asks us the same questions over and over."

"Yes, you have to," replied Mom. "Aunt Dora loves to see you."

At the nursing home, Aunt Dora smiled when she saw them. "I'm so glad you came! Can you stay for a while?" she asked as she fondly patted Jordyn's hand.

"Would you like the kids to draw you pictures while we talk?" asked Mom. Aunt Dora nodded happily, so Jordyn and Aaron got out some paper and crayons.

When Jordyn finished her picture, she sketched a silly cartoon of Aunt Dora. She showed it to Aaron, and they both snickered. Mom saw the picture too, but she didn't find it funny at all.

"Jordyn, I noticed you didn't like it when Aaron made fun of your teddy bear this morning," Mom said when they were driving home. "I guess you still love it, even though it's old and its fur is rubbed off and one eye is missing, right?" Jordyn nodded emphatically. "Well," said Mom. "I love Aunt Dora even though she's old. She raised me after my parents died, and it hurts me deeply to see the two of you make fun of her."

Jordyn hung her head. "I'm sorry."

"Me too," said Aaron. "I guess we weren't thinking."

"Do you know who else loves Aunt Dora?" asked Mom. "God does. He loves and cares for elderly people, and He wants us to honor and respect them even though their minds and bodies may not be as strong as they once were. They have spent their lives taking care of their families and friends. Now it's our turn to take care of them. Will you both please help me do that?" Jordyn and Aaron both nodded.

- Ellen C. Orr

How About You?
Do you ever make fun of older people? Do you get impatient with elderly family members when they can't move fast or when they tell the same stories over and over? God is never impatient with them--He loves them and cares for them just as much as He always did. He wants you to treat older people with respect. When you grow old, He will continue to love and take care of you too.

Today's Key Verse:
Even to your old age, I am [your God], and even to gray hairs I will carry you! (NKJV) (Isaiah 46:4)

Today's Key Thought:
Respect older people