Bible Reading: Proverbs 15:1-4; Ephesians 4:31-32

"You're always messing up this room," Hannah said as she pushed her sister's things off the dresser. "You're such a pig!"

"You're the pig. And leave my things alone!" yelled Margo.

"Then keep your stuff off my side of the dresser!" Hannah shot back.

The fighting escalated, and soon Mom appeared at the door. "Girls! I'm tired of the constant bickering between you," she said sternly. "You are sisters, and you should respect each other. Follow me."

Hannah and Margo glared at each other as they followed their mother into the back hall and watched as she got out some towels and a bottle of cleaning solution. "Now," said Mom, "you are going to clean the big living room window until it looks like you could walk through it."

Hannah and Margo got to work. But the more solution they sprayed on the glass and rubbed with the towels, the streakier the window became.

"Mom!" Margo called. "There's something wrong with the spray you gave us."

"What's that?" Mom came in from the kitchen. "The solution I gave you isn't working?"

"It's just making it worse!" said Hannah.

"Well, your solution for solving disagreements isn't working either," said Mom. She came over and took the bottle she had given them. "This is all-purpose cleaner--it doesn't work on windows. And shouting and saying nasty things to each other doesn't work to solve disagreements."

The girls started to complain, but Mom cut them off.

"God has a much different solution," she said. "Instead of responding in anger, He says to give a soft answer. That means calmly talking through the problem and caring about the other person and what they have to say. Because you trust in Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit to help you respond to others in a gentle, loving way--even when you don't agree with them." Mom went and got another bottle from the back hall. "Here, try this solution on the windows--it will work much better."

Hannah and Margo went back to their task and thought about what Mom had said. Finally, Hannah said, "I'm sorry I pushed your stuff off the dresser."

"I'm sorry too," said Margo. "I'll try to keep things neater."

After a few more wipes, the window was as clear as ever.

–Carol Baker

How About You?
Do you ever get angry at your friends or family? Do you react with harsh words or a mean attitude? By ourselves, it's nearly impossible to respond nicely. That's why Jesus gives us His Spirit to help us respond in a kind, gentle way. The next time you're upset, take a deep breath and ask Him to show you how to use His solution--a soft answer spoken in love.

Today's Key Verse:
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (NKJV) (Proverbs 15:1)

Today's Key Thought:
Solve disagreements God's way

Bible Reading: Psalm 33:4-15, 20-22

"I think I see the scenic lookout we found on the map, Mom!" shouted Orlando. He sighed in relief. The family had been hiking the steep Treetop Trail for two hours, and Orlando was glad to finally collapse on a large, flat rock. As he rested, he gazed at the view below.

Orlando's sister Ana plopped down beside him. "Wow!" she said. "This is awesome!" Ana pointed to a house in the distance. "Look over there, Dad. I bet we can see for a thousand miles!"

Dad walked over. "I'd say that house is more like twenty miles away--not a thousand," he said with a smile.

"Well, it's still awesome!" said Ana.

"I agree. It is awesome," said Mom. She sat down beside Ana and Orlando. "You kids use that word a lot. Do you know what it means?"

"I guess it's used to describe something that's extra amazing," said Ana.

"That's a pretty good definition," said Mom. "I looked it up in the dictionary once, and the original meaning has to do with a feeling of reverence for something majestic or sacred. One definition for awesome is 'a reverent wonder.' I like that one."

"I do too," said Dad. "I think awesome is a great word to use to describe God. Psalm 33 says to 'stand in awe of Him.' That means we should love and respect Him and recognize that He is in control of the entire world--and our lives." Dad paused and looked around. "Being on this mountain makes a person feel pretty small, doesn't it?"

"You can say that again!" said Orlando.

"Okay," said Dad. "Being on this mountain makes a person--"

"Daaad!" Orlando rolled his eyes, and they all laughed.

"Things in nature are awesome," Dad said. "God made them, and they give us just a glimpse of His greatness. But what's really awesome is that He loves us so much He sent His Son to save us. Jesus was willing to make Himself one of us and come to earth to die on a cross for our sins--and then He rose from the dead. Now that's extra amazing!"

The family sipped from their water bottles as they enjoyed the view. "Yes," Mom said quietly, "Jesus is truly awesome!"

–Dean Fowler

How About You?
Do you use the word awesome a lot? It's a word that's probably overused, but if you want to see something truly awesome, look around you at the world God created. His great power and glory is displayed in everything He's made--and in His great love and the sacrifice He made when Jesus gave His life for us. Consider all His wonderful work, and stand in awe of Him!

Today's Key Verse:
The LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. (NKJV) (Psalm 47:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus is truly awesome

Bible Reading: Romans 12:3-10

On their way to the park one Saturday morning, Maisie and her parents decided to stop at an estate sale. Maisie enjoyed seeing all the things the owners of the place were selling. When they walked into a room that looked like a library, Maisie gasped in delight. "Look! A harp! My music teacher at school has one. She said there aren't many people who know how to play them." Maisie turned to her dad. "Can we buy it? I'd love to learn how to play."

Dad pointed to a sign. "See that? It's not for sale."

Just then a woman who was supervising the sale walked in. She smiled at Maisie. "I see you like this harp," she said. "Did you notice the different kinds of strings? Some are really thin and others are thick and strong. Some are spiraled and some are grooved, but others are smooth."

"They're not all the same color either," said Maisie. "Some are bright red, and others are black or silver or gold."

"That's right," said the woman. "This harp belonged to my mother. Now I'm going to take it home so my daughter can learn to play."

The next day at church, Maisie looked around at all the different people singing in the sanctuary. "Being in church reminded me of the harp we saw yesterday," she told her parents after the service.

"Really?" asked Dad. "How's that?"

"Well, I noticed when we were singing how many different people there were--people of all ages and races and personalities--but they all worshiped God in harmony together, just like all the different strings on a harp play one beautiful song."

"That's a good way to look at it, Maisie," said Mom. "A harp is made up of many strings, and God's church is made up of many people."

Dad nodded. "And every string is different--each is designed to sound its own individual note. Yet when each string is in tune with the others, the harp makes beautiful, harmonious music! It's that way with God's church too. The members are all different, but the Holy Spirit unites us through our faith in Jesus. As we show His love to one another and serve and worship God together, we make music that's sweet to God's ears."

–Trudy Vander Veen

How About You?
Do you enjoy the fact that each member of God's church is different? Not everyone will think or act just like you, but that's okay. The important thing is for all of us to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit. That means relying on Him to help us work together and get along, even when we disagree on things. Stay in harmony with other Christians by following the Master Musician--Jesus--as you show others His love.

Today's Key Verse:
How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! (NIV) (Psalm 133:1)

Today's Key Thought:
Christians should live in harmony

Bible Reading: Psalm 62:5-8

Natalie glanced at her phone. Twenty minutes. Twenty minutes to change and eat something before she had to leave for dance. Gotta move. She grabbed some mac and cheese and popped it into the microwave. As she bounded up the stairs, she passed her little brother Jacob sitting in time-out. Minutes later, the microwave dinged. Natalie tugged her leotard into place and pushed one more bobby pin into her bun. She rushed downstairs and retrieved her food. Stirring her mac and cheese, she glanced at Jacob sitting on the bottom step with his elbows on his knees, fists digging into his chubby cheeks.

"What did you do this time, sport?" Natalie plopped beside her brother.

"Yelled at Mommy." Jacob sighed. "I hate time-out."

Natalie patted his back. "Mom doesn't stick you here just because you're in trouble. It's to help you settle down and get under control. Are you still mad?"

"No." Jacob paused. "Nat? Does sitting help you too?"

Natalie paused mid-chew. Sitting still didn't happen much. Rushing to school and dance left her feeling anything but in control. "I'm too big for time-outs now," she said.

"You're never home." Jacob's eyes were sad. "I miss you."

Natalie licked the cheese from her spoon. She loved dance company, though it meant she practically lived at the studio. What happened to family time? What happened to time with God?

She looked at the shelf in the kitchen where she put her Bible. Maybe I need a time-out too.

Natalie glanced at her phone. Five minutes. She squeezed Jacob, then walked over and picked up her Bible. A highlighted verse caught her attention: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Rest. Sounds great, God. Natalie remembered learning that this verse meant those who trusted in Jesus didn't have to strive to earn God's favor, because Jesus earned it for them. I need to stop and remember that more often. Remember He's in control. She took a deep breath and continued to read.

Soon Mom was calling. Time for dance. Natalie checked her phone. Her five minutes were gone. Somehow God had stretched them, and she sensed His peace. She grinned and grabbed her brother's hand. "Race you to the car!"

–Gayle Veitenheimer

How About You?
Is your life overscheduled and busy? You need a spiritual time-out. Not because you're in trouble, but to build your relationship with God and get strength and wisdom to navigate the road ahead. Make sure you leave time in your busy schedule to pray, read your Bible, and worship with other Christians. Stop the frenzy for a moment and take a time-out with Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (NIV) (Matthew 11:28)

Today's Key Thought:
Take a time-out with God

Bible Reading: Isaiah 64:6-7; Ephesians 2:8-10

"All right!" Oliver exclaimed as his mom presented him with a pair of bright new sneakers. "They're just what I wanted!"

"I'm glad you like them," said Mom. "But let's try to keep them clean. Save them for school or when you're out with your friends. You have plenty of old shoes to wear when you're in the yard or playing basketball at the park."

"Okay, Mom," Oliver said as he put on the new shoes.

He did remember to be careful with them for a while, but one day when he came into the house, he left a trail of muddy tracks through the kitchen.

"Stop right there, Oliver! Oh, your new sneakers--they're a mess!" Mom pointed to his mud-caked shoes.

"I'm sorry, Mom," said Oliver. "I forgot I had them on. Mrs. Alberts needed help in her garden, and I guess I went a little bonkers with the garden hose."

Mom sighed, shaking her head. "It was nice of you to help her, Oliver, but in spite of your good deed, your shoes are still dirty."

"Yeah." Oliver looked down at his feet and sighed. "They look pretty bad." Then he smiled. "It's kinda like the verse we learned at church last week. My teacher said it's easy to think that the good things we do can cover up the wrong things we've done. But the verse we learned says our good deeds are like dirty rags--or in this case, dirty sneakers. They can't make us clean."

"That's right," Mom said. "Nothing we do can ever clean up the sin in our lives. That's why we need Jesus." She bent over to help Oliver pull off his dirty shoes. "Jesus promises that when we confess our sins to Him, He will forgive us and wash us white as snow."

"Can you forgive me too, Mom?"

Mom smiled. "Of course I'll forgive you, Oliver."

"I'll try to be more careful." Oliver looked at his muddy shoes. "Will you make my sneakers clean again?"

"Not as clean as Jesus can make your heart," said Mom. "But I'll do my best. Bring them over to the sink and I'll check the cleaning supply cabinet."

–Nathan Runyon

How About You?
Do you ever feel like your life resembles a pair of dirty sneakers? Do you think if you do enough good things you can make up for the stuff you do wrong? The Bible says that good deeds are never enough. Only Jesus can cleanse your heart and replace your wrongs with His right. Confess your sin to Him today and be forgiven. (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:
We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. (NLT) (Isaiah 64:6)

Today's Key Thought:
Good deeds won't cover up sin