Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; Revelation 21:3-4

Cara heard the floor squeak under her tennis shoes as she followed her mom down the hospital corridor. Her dad was in the hospital again, and her mom had picked her up from school so they could visit him.

"Dad!" Cara cried as they entered his room. She ran to the bed and flung her arms around her father's frail shoulders. "Have the doctors figured out what's wrong with you yet?"

Dad hugged her close. "They're still running tests, but I'm afraid the news isn't good."

A lump formed in Cara's throat. "I'll pray for you, Dad. I'll pray you'll get better."

Dad smiled and squeezed her hand. Pretty soon it was time for Mom to take Cara to her aunt and uncle's house where she'd be staying so Mom could be close to Dad at the hospital.

A few weeks later, Cara woke up one morning to see Mom sitting on the edge of her bed. "Mom! You're here! How's Dad?"

"Oh, Cara," said Mom with a sob. "Dad is with Jesus now."

Hot tears flooded Cara's eyes. "What? No! I prayed that God would make him better, that he wouldn't be sick anymore!"

"And he's not sick anymore," Mom said as she pulled Cara into her arms.

"But…but I don't understand!" Tears streamed down Cara's face. "How could God let Dad die?"

"I don't know, honey," said Mom as she wiped her eyes. "Sometimes God allows things to happen that we can't understand here on earth." She brushed the hair out of Cara's eyes. "But Cara, think of how Dad must have felt when he opened his eyes and saw Jesus." Mom's words were very quiet. "There's a Bible verse that says, 'Joy comes in the morning,' and today that came true for Dad. He woke up to find himself in the presence of Jesus, free of sickness and pain. It must be a wonderful morning for him."

Cara nodded. "I'm glad he's not sick anymore, but I miss him so much already!"

"So do I," said Mom, her eyes brimming with tears. "But someday we'll also wake up to find ourselves in the presence of Jesus, and when we do, Dad will be there too."

-Phyllis I. Klomparens

How About You?
Have you experienced the death of a family member or friend? It's hard to lose someone you love, and it's natural to feel sad about it and even wonder how God could allow it to happen. But remember that for a Christian, death means passing from this life on earth into the presence of Jesus in heaven. Trust Him to give you comfort and peace in your time of loss, knowing that one day He will wipe away all your tears when you see Him face-to-face.

Today's Key Verse:
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (NKJV) (Psalm 30:5)

Today's Key Thought:
After death, joy awaits Christians

Bible Reading: Romans 12:9-16; 1 Peter 2:21-25

Clay picked up his fork, sorted the peas out of his mixed vegetables, and pushed them off to the side of his plate. Two-year-old Penelope did the same thing. "Why aren't you eating your peas?" asked Mom.

"I don't like them," Clay answered.

"Don't like 'em," Penelope repeated.

"Yes, you do, Penelope," said Mom, scooping some peas onto Penelope's spoon and holding them up to her mouth.

"Yum," Penelope said. "More!"

A little later, Clay blew bubbles in his milk. Wide-eyed, Penelope watched him. Then she picked up her glass of milk and blew bubbles in it, spilling milk all over the table.

"Clay! Get a towel and help clean up your sister's mess," said Mom.

Clay obediently got the towel. As he began wiping the table, Penelope grabbed it. "Me too," she said, trying to wipe the table.

"You little copycat," Clay grumbled. "Mom, make her stop copying me."

"She copies you because she loves you and wants to be like you," said Mom.

"You need to remember that no matter where you are, others are always watching you," Dad told him. "And I'm afraid that not eating your peas and then blowing bubbles in your milk has made you a poor example this evening."

"Sorry," mumbled Clay.

"The best way to be a good example is to be a copycat yourself," Mom said.

"It is?" Clay looked surprised. "Who should I copy? Dad?"

Mom grinned. "That would be a start, since Dad doesn't blow bubbles in his milk."

Dad laughed. "Not very often, at least," he said, winking at Clay. "I think what Mom really means is that, as Christians, we need to follow Jesus as our example. Because He saved us from sin and gave us His Holy Spirit, we can follow His example and show others what He's like. As He works in our hearts, we become more like Him and can show examples of His love to others. He's the one we should copy."

Clay nodded as he finished wiping milk from the table. "Okay, I'll follow Jesus's example--and I don't think He would blow bubbles in His milk either!"

-Lucinda J. Rollings

How About You?
Are you a copycat of Jesus? Do you follow His example by obeying your parents, listening to your teachers, and showing kindness to others? As Christians, we can copy Him because He has freed us from sin and given us the Holy Spirit, who works in our hearts and helps us show others His love. Be an example of Jesus to others in everything you say and do.

Today's Key Verse:
Christ gave you an example to follow. He suffered for you. So you should do the same as he did. (ERV) (1 Peter 2:21)

Today's Key Thought:
Be a copycat of Jesus

Bible Reading: Psalm 37:23-24; 1 John 1:8-9

Alannah pulled on her ice skates and grinned at her aunt. "I'm ready to learn to skate, Aunt Rachel." Her aunt smiled, took Alannah's hands, and pulled her to her feet. As they started across the ice, Alannah wobbled back and forth, trying to keep her balance. "Whoa!" she exclaimed. She gripped Aunt Rachel's arm.

After a few laps, Alannah loosened her grip and let go. "Nothing to this skating thing," she declared with a laugh. As she spoke, she lost her balance and crashed to the ice. "Ouch! I guess I can't skate after all," she moaned.

Aunt Rachel pulled Alannah to her feet again. "Sure you can. When you fall, you just have to get up and keep skating."

"Do you ever fall?" asked Alannah.

"Oh yes--even though I've skated for many years," Aunt Rachel said as she helped Alannah to a bench. After resting a few minutes, Alannah was ready to try again.

A few days later, Alannah walked to her aunt's house after school to wait for her mom to pick her up. "How's it going?" asked Aunt Rachel. "Did you fall down today?"

Alannah grinned. "Nope, but I haven't been skating today."

"No, but there are more serious ways we can fall," said Aunt Rachel.

"Like?" asked Alannah.

"Well, I was just working on the lesson I'm teaching on Sunday, and it points out that when we sin, it's like falling down," said Aunt Rachel. "I've been a Christian for many years, but I still fall down when I do wrong things like tell a lie, lose my temper, or gossip. Tell me, Alannah--what do we have to do when we fall down?"

"Get up again," Alannah replied. "You taught me that when we were skating."

Aunt Rachel nodded. "I was there to help you get up when you fell on the ice. Who helps us get up when we sin?"

"Um…Jesus does," said Alannah.

"You got it," said Aunt Rachel. "He saved us from sin, and He is always there to help us up when we fall. He wants us to confess our wrongs to Him and accept forgiveness. Then He teaches us lessons from the tumbles."

-Lovella Daoust

How About You?
Can you think of times--perhaps even today--when you've fallen down? We all fall down by doing wrong things, even Christians. But when we fall, Jesus promises to help us back up. You should feel sorry for the wrong things you've done, but when you've confessed your failures to Jesus, accept His forgiveness. Then look to Him for strength to move on in your life.

Today's Key Verse:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV) (1 John 1:9)

Today's Key Thought:
Accept God's forgiveness and move on

Bible Reading: Luke 5:4-11

Josiah knew two things for sure about Gramps--he loved God and he loved to fish! Josiah couldn't wait to spend the weekend fishing with his grandpa. They were going to fish all day and then spend the night at the cabin on the lake.

"Hi, Gramps!" Josiah shouted as he jumped out of the car. Gramps gave Josiah a big hug, and then they headed over to the shed to get their fishing gear ready. "Ouch!" Josiah cried out.

"Be careful around those fishing hooks. They'll stick you," Gramps reminded him.

After they had packed the car with their fishing gear and the rest of their supplies, Gramps said, "I think we have everything. Let's hit the road!"

Grandma waved goodbye as they drove down the driveway. Gramps took full advantage of the thirty-minute drive to the cabin to remind Josiah of the fishing safety, fire safety, and cabin safety rules. Gramps had retired from the military, so structure and proper procedure were very important to him.

When they got to the cabin, they unpacked the car and loaded the boat with their gear. "All right," said Gramps. "Let's go fishing!"

"Yes!" Josiah climbed into the little john boat, and Gramps pushed them out onto the water. The little motor hummed loudly as they roared across the lake.

After baiting their hooks and casting their lines out, they both sat quietly for a few minutes, and before long, the fish started biting. By the end of the day, they had caught a whole cooler full of fish.

"Fish fry for dinner tonight!" Gramps announced.

After dinner, Gramps and Josiah sat beside the campfire. "You know, Josiah, catching all those fish today reminded me of a story in the Bible." Gramps pulled a small Bible from his back pocket and read about how Jesus's disciples caught a huge amount of fish and then Jesus told them He would make them fishers of people.

"What does fishing for people mean, Gramps?"

"Jesus wants us to tell others about Him. He wants us to share the good news that He loves us and died and rose again to save us so they can know Him too."

Josiah smiled. "Thank you for taking me fishing, Gramps--and for always reminding me how much Jesus loves me."

-Lisa Fuller

How About You?
Do you know Jesus as your Savior? If you do, He will help you tell others about His love so they can know Him too. John 3:16 reminds us that God loves the whole world and doesn't want anyone to perish, or be lost without Him. Trust the Lord to help you share His love with others, and He will do it.

Today's Key Verse:
[Jesus] told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." (NLT) (Mark 16:15)

Today's Key Thought:
Share God's love with others

Bible Reading: Psalm 19:14; Proverbs 18:21; Galatians 5:22-26

"Ouch! My tummy hurts," Micah said on the way home from his friend's birthday sleepover.

"What did you eat at the party?" Mom asked.

"Well, last night we had tacos for dinner--I ate four. Then I had some birthday cake, ice cream, and chips. I finished off the night with a bunch of candy. This morning I had some hot chocolate and two donuts."

"I'm not surprised you don't feel good," Mom said. "Eating that much junk food would give anyone a tummy ache."

Micah groaned and held his stomach. "I don't think I'll do that again."

At school on Monday, Micah and some of his friends were talking about Jonathan. They were laughing about him and calling him the class nerd. Micah didn't really feel that way about him, but he wanted to fit in with his friends. Afterwards, he felt terrible, just like he'd felt when he'd eaten too much junk food.

"What's bothering you, Micah?" Mom asked when he got home from school.

Micah sighed. "I was saying junk about Jonathan with a group of my friends just so I could fit in, and now I feel awful about it."

"What do you think you should do about it?"

"I think I need to ask Jesus to forgive me for saying such unkind things. And I should probably apologize to Jonathan too--I think he overheard us making fun of him."

"That sounds like the right thing to do," Mom said. "You know, the Bible says the tongue can bring death or life. The words we say can either build others up and encourage them or hurt them and make them feel bad--and saying unkind things can make you feel bad too. I think you feel the way you do because you know saying junk like that doesn't fit who you are as a Christian. Since you know Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit inside you, and He's urging you to speak with kindness and be an encouragement to others. Let Him guide you in using your words in a way that shows others His love."

Micah nodded. "Okay, I'll do that. No more talking junk!" He picked up his backpack. "I'm going to my room to pray, and then I need to call Jonathan."

-Lisa Fuller

How About You?
Have you ever said something and then wished you could take it back? The Bible has a lot to say about the tongue. Our words can encourage people and show them the love of Jesus, but they can also be very hurtful. That's why it's important to stop and think before you speak and to listen to the Holy Spirit. Trust Him to help you speak in a way that builds others up and points them to Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (NKJV) (Proverbs 18:21)

Today's Key Thought:
Watch what you say