Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-33

"Mom, I'm scared," Presley whispered in the middle of the night. "I can't sleep. I keep thinking about Isabel and her car accident. What does intensive care unit mean?"

Mom offered her a much-needed hug. "Presley, have you not been able to sleep because of this? It's scary, isn't it? Intensive care unit means she's getting extra care at the hospital right now."

"I woke up wondering if I will ever see Isabel again," Presley said. "I would miss her so much."

Presley's mom went to the kitchen and came back with two glasses of milk. "I know this is really hard. I've been praying for Isabel and her family ever since Pastor Jim called. The doctors are doing all they can, but it's possible she may not survive."

Tears welled up in Presley's eyes. "How could God let this happen?"

Mom shook her head. "Some things we just don't know. The best thing we can do is trust God."

"But how?" asked Presley. "I just get a sick feeling in my stomach whenever I think about it."

"Here." Mom picked up a stack of textbooks Presley brought home from school that day. "Hold these in your arms. How would you like to carry these books for days, weeks, months, maybe even years?"

Presley felt the weight of the books sink into her arms. "I'd get tired of carrying them. They're heavy."

"Don't you think worry is the same way? We can choose to carry our fear and worry, but we get tired of carrying it because it's so heavy. Or we can let God carry it for us, knowing He loves us so much that He sent His own Son, Jesus, to set us free from sin and make us His children." As she said this, she took the books from Presley, relieving her of the heavy weight. "See? How does that feel?"

"Much better," Presley replied with a small smile. "I guess I need to trust God to carry my worry about Isabel for me."

"We'll pray together," said Mom as she tucked Presley back under the covers. "And then you get some sleep. Maybe we'll be able to go visit Isabel in the hospital tomorrow."

-Meredith Brower

How About You?
Do you ever get scared or worried about bad things that could happen? God knows that worry is a heavy burden that's too hard to carry by yourself. That's why He tells us to give our worries and fears to Him. Pray and give your worries to God. He loves you and is more than happy to carry them for you.

Today's Key Verse:
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (NLT) (1 Peter 5:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Give your worries to God

Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:3; Hebrews 4:13-16

"Happy third birthday, Jake," Elizabeth said, handing her younger brother his present. It was beautifully wrapped up in superhero paper. "Hope you like it."

They were having a party outside in the garden for him with some families from church. Jake glanced up before giving a loud shriek and yelling. He left the package on the table and ran inside. Dad followed him.

"What have I done? Why doesn't he want my gift?" Elizabeth asked, blushing. "I saved up my pocket money to buy him something special. Now he's crying and run off!"

"Darling, you haven't done anything," Mom said. "He's tired. You know he doesn't like change. It's all been too much for him having so many people around. It's not your fault."

Elizabeth couldn't concentrate on the conversations around her. Her thoughts rattled with the memory of Jake and his outburst. Why did I even bother? she thought crossly, taking the unopened gift and throwing it on a chair. Soon Dad calmed Jake down and brought him outside again.

Elizabeth struggled to taste the party food she usually loved and was glad when all the visitors had left. Dad took Jake upstairs to get ready for his bedtime story and prayers.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" Mom asked, picking up the unopened gift. "Dad and I are both proud of you and your efforts to make this a special day for your brother."

"I'm disappointed, I guess." Elizabeth sighed. "I know feeling overwhelmed is part of Jake's condition, but I wish he'd opened my gift. I was so excited about it."

"I know, sweetheart. Your brother is tired, but tomorrow he'll be refreshed and still have your present to look forward to. I'm sure he'll treasure it." Mom gave her a hug. "Life can feel overwhelming for all of us sometimes, but like Jake, we still have wonderful gifts from God that we can enjoy. He fills our lives with blessings, and no matter what we're going through, we can always enjoy the greatest gift of all--the love and presence of Jesus, who understands how we feel and promises to help us through our struggles."

Elizabeth smiled as she thought about the gift from God she could enjoy every day--a relationship with His Son, Jesus.

-Cindy Lee

How About You?
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by what's going on in your life? Even in the midst of struggles, you can enjoy the many blessings God wants to give you. Out of love, God sent His Son, Jesus, to repair the damaged relationship we had with Him. Because of that gift, we never have to face our struggles alone. Jesus is always with us, and He brings new blessings into our lives every day.

Today's Key Verse:
Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (NLT) (Matthew 28:20 )

Today's Key Thought:
Enjoy God's blessings

Bible Reading: John 9:1-7

Seth crept into the dark room. He switched on the lamp and waved his arms back and forth above the crib. Leah didn't notice him. She was blind.

"Hi, baby," he whispered. She turned her tiny head toward the sound of his voice. He patted her hand through the bars.

"What are you doing in here?" asked Mom, coming in from the hallway.

"I'm trying to make Leah see me," Seth said.

Mom spread a quilt on the floor. "I'm not sure she'll ever be able to see you, Seth. But she can hear your voice and feel your touch."

Seth sighed. "Why did God give her eyes that don't work?"

Mom lifted Leah out of her crib and laid her on the quilt beside Seth. "We don't always understand the ways of the Lord, but we know that He can use the bad things that happen to us for good."

"Blind eyes aren't good," said Seth.

"The Bible tells a story about a man born blind like Leah," said Mom. "People questioned Jesus about that man's eyes too." Leah gripped Seth's finger as Mom continued. "Jesus said the man was born blind so the world could see the great love and awesome power of God." Mom stroked Leah's cheek. "Then Jesus healed the man and he was no longer blind."

"Is Jesus going to heal Leah?" asked Seth.

"I pray for that every day," said Mom. "As we wait for His answer, we can pray that Leah will hear God's voice and that He will give her special eyes to see Him with her heart."

"I don't need eyes in my heart because my other eyes can see, right, Mom?"

"Everyone needs heart-eyes," said Mom. "We are all blind like Leah until we listen to God's voice and turn to Jesus."

"My Sunday school teacher says the Bible is God's voice," said Seth.

"She's right," said Mom. "God's Word tells us why we need Jesus to save us from sin. When God opens our eyes to its truth, we can see His great love for us."

Seth jumped up and bolted from the room. He returned with his Bible and plopped onto the quilt. "I think Leah will like the rainbow story."

Leah turned her face toward Seth as he read God's Word.

-Trine Grillo

How About You?
Are you able to see with the eyes of your heart? Seeing with your heart-eyes is more important that seeing with your physical eyes, because that's the only way to see God's great love for you. The Bible is God's Word, and it tells us who God is and what He did to save us. As you read and listen to His Word, trust God to open the eyes of your heart and help you hear His voice.

Today's Key Verse:
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you. (NIV) (Ephesians 1:18)

Today's Key Thought:
Listen to God's voice

Bible Reading: Psalm 16:2, 11; Philippians 1:6, 9-11; 1 Peter 3:10-11

Not another essay! Serena groaned to herself as the teacher wrote the subject on the board: What I Want to Be When I Grow Up. I hate writing essays. Besides, I don't know what I want to be. Serena sighed and wrote down the topic.

At home that evening, Serena complained about the assignment. "How do I know what I'll want to do when I'm older? I'm just a kid!"

Dad smiled as he lit a candle on the table. "You don't have to commit to any career right now, but it doesn't hurt to think about what you might enjoy doing. In fact, I think you're already doing that. Just a couple days ago you and your sister hauled me into your doctor's office to check my ears and blood pressure. And a couple days before that, you and your brother were talking about settling on the moon."

Serena grinned. "Maybe I will be a doctor someday. Or an astronaut. I don't know. But I can tell you what I don't want to be--an author. I don't like writing."

"That's okay, but who knows? That may change," said Dad. "Just remember that your career isn't the most important thing in life anyway." He pointed to the flame of the candle. "Someone once told me our lives are like a flame. Is a flame a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Well, it could be either one," said Serena. "It could light a fire to cook food or provide warmth--that would be good. But it could do really bad things too, like start a fire that burns down a house or injures someone."

Dad nodded. "Exactly. So, how is a person's life like a flame?"

Serena hesitated. "Because it could be used for either good or bad?"

"Yes," said Dad. "Life is a precious gift from God, but it's meant to be lived in relationship with Him. That's why we need to trust in Jesus. Even though Christians still make mistakes in life and do things that are wrong, Jesus forgives us and works through us to do good things. You don't need to know right now what you want to be when you grow up. Just know that, no matter what career you have, Jesus will use your life for good because you trust in Him."

-Mary Rose Pearson

How About You?
Do you know what you want to be when you grow up? You don't need to decide right now, though it's not too early to start thinking about it. What's really important isn't what you do but who you know. Do you know Jesus? Do you have a relationship with Him? If not, you can know Him as your Savior today. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.) Then trust Him to guide your steps and use your life for good.

Today's Key Verse:
Your goodness and mercy will be with me all my life. (ERV) (Psalm 23:6)

Today's Key Thought:
Trust Jesus to use your life for good

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 29:12-13; 1 Peter 3:12

"Grandma, you're on mute. You have to tap the little microphone icon to turn your sound on," ten-year-old Samara instructed her grandmother over the video call. "I can see your mouth moving but I don't know what you're saying," Samara said in frustration. She was eager to tell her grandmother about her dance recital. "Let me call you back and see if that will turn your microphone on."

She ended the call then tapped the video call button again. After a few rings, her grandmother picked back up.

"Can you hear me now? I think it's working this time," Grandma said.

"Yes! I can hear you! Grandma, did you see the video Mom sent you of me dancing?"

"Oh yes, you were wonderful, honey! I can't believe how well you can dance!" Grandma and Samara talked for nearly an hour about her recital, and at the end Samara was so happy she could share her experience with her grandmother even though she didn't live nearby.

She tangoed into the kitchen and gave Mom her phone back. "I heard you had some trouble hearing Grandma at first. I bet she was frustrated when you couldn't hear her," Mom commented as she worked on her computer.

"Yeah, it was hard to talk when I couldn't even hear her!" Samara said as she nibbled on a snack.

"That reminds me of you the other night, when you didn't want to pray because you thought God couldn't hear you. But prayer works a lot better than a video call! God always hears you when you pray." Mom always found a way to make a lesson out of anything.

Samara thought about that, then said, "But what about everyone else praying? I bet He gets pretty busy listening to everybody's prayers."

"Because He is infinite, God has the ability to hear all their prayers and yours too." Mom clapped her laptop shut. "God is never too busy to listen to your prayers, Samara. He loves you--He sent Jesus to die for your sins so you could be His child forever! He's not far away from you like Grandma is--He's always with you. You can talk to Him anytime." Mom gave Samara a hug. "So, do you think you'll try talking to God again?"

Samara nodded. "Yeah, now I know God will always hear me!"

-Dylan Kraayenbrink

How About You?
Do you ever wonder if God hears your prayers? What if He's too busy doing something else, or what if you're not praying hard enough? God is never too busy for His children--He loves you and is always happy to hear from you. He is with you all the time and will always listen when you pray. You can talk to Him anytime and trust that He will hear you.

Today's Key Verse:
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer. (NIV) (1 Peter 3:12)

Today's Key Thought:
God always hears your prayers