Bible Reading: Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:14-15

"Mom's calling," Selah said as she and her sister played with neighbor kids in the common area of their apartment complex.

"It must be time for dinner already," said Alice. The girls told their friends goodbye and hurried to their apartment.

"Guess what!" said Mom as they talked about their day. "I got a job offer."

Dad grinned. "Let me guess--someone asked you to babysit their kids."

Mom laughed. "You're right. Melissa, in apartment three, asked if I'd like to watch Anya and Jaxton when she goes back to work on Mondays and Fridays."

Selah looked surprised. "Dad, how did you know that was what someone wanted Mom to do?"

"Well, it's not the first time it's happened," said Dad. "The Petersons wanted Mom to take care of their son one weekend when they had to be away, remember? And a few weeks ago, the librarian at your school asked Mom to babysit for a couple of days."

Alice looked puzzled. "That's so weird. It's not like Mom put flyers around town saying she'd babysit. Why do people keep asking her?"

"Well," said Mom, "they know I'm a stay-at-home mom, so maybe they figure I'd like to earn a little money. And I think another reason they ask me is because of you guys."

"Us?" said Selah. "I don't get it."

Mom smiled. "I think they look at you and say to themselves, 'Those are nice kids! I could trust my children to be in that home. I'll see if their mother would like to work for me.'"

Alice grinned. "We're just such angels," she joked.

Dad laughed. "Not quite. I've seen your halos slip off and hit the floor quite a few times. You're not angels, but you are lights. The Bible says Christians are supposed to be lights in a dark world, and I've seen both of you shine the light of Jesus to others in how you treat them. Because we know Jesus, we are God's children and have His love in our hearts. When we let His love shine through our words and actions, people will notice that we're different and hopefully be pointed to Him."

"So thanks, girls, for being lights to our neighbors," said Mom. "Let's pray that our lives will make them want to know Jesus!"

-Lore Wolif

How About You?
Do your actions cause people to notice that you're different--different from the world in general? You may not be an angel, but if you've trusted Jesus as your Savior, you have the light of His love in your life and can point others to Him through your words, your actions, and your attitude. What can you do to be a light in your school and neighborhood?

Today's Key Verse:
Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (NIV) (Matthew 5:16)

Today's Key Thought:
Be a light for Jesus

Bible Reading: Romans 8:26-27

Kyleigh walked out into the garage. "I want to wear my new blue shirt, Mom.

Did you wash it?"

Mom, who was stripping paint off a desk, looked up and nodded. "Yes, I washed it. It's on a hanger in the laundry room, but it needs ironing. It's pretty wrinkled."

"I can do that," said Kyleigh. "I'll call for help if I need it." She hurried off and got out the iron.

When the shirt was pressed, Kyleigh showed it to her mom. "Look! This shirt was a wrinkly mess before, but it's all nice and neat now!"

That night at dinner, Mom asked Kyleigh to say the blessing. "Thank you for this food and our home and..." Kyleigh paused. "And please be with Dad. Amen."

"Something on your mind?" asked Mom as Kyleigh glumly passed her the potatoes.

Kyleigh shrugged. "I just don't know how to pray for Dad. I wish he wasn't in jail, but I'm afraid if he got out he'd just keep doing the things that got him there in the first place."

Mom nodded. "I know what you mean." She pointed at Kyleigh's shirt. "That iron sure took care of all those wrinkles, didn't it?"

Kyleigh looked down at her shirt. "Um, yeah, but what does that have to do with Dad?"

"Well," said Mom, "the Holy Spirit does the same thing with our wrinkly prayers."

"Wrinkly prayers?" repeated Kyleigh. "What are those?"

"They're the prayers we're not sure how to pray," said Mom. "We don't know everything that's going on in someone's life or the best solution to a problem, but God does. When we pray about those things, we might be afraid of asking for the wrong things sometimes because we can't see the whole picture."

"Kind of like my messy, wrinkled shirt?" asked Kyleigh.

"Exactly," said Mom. "But when we pray about things that are unclear or confusing, the Holy Spirit irons out the wrinkles so that, before God's throne, they make perfect sense." Mom squeezed Kyleigh's hand. "Keep praying for Dad, Kyleigh. God knows exactly what you're trying to say, and you can trust Him to do what's best."

-Gayle J. Thorn

How About You?
Do you sometimes feel like you're not sure what to say when you pray? Are there people or situations you want to pray about, but you're not sure how to begin? God wants you to come to Him with anything and everything that concerns you. Tell Him the best way you can, and trust the Holy Spirit to smooth out the wrinkles.

Today's Key Verse:
We don't know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit himself speaks to God for us. (ERV) (Romans 8:26)

Today's Key Thought:
Pray freely to God

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

"Oh, she's so cute!" squealed Kelsey, looking at the baby her mother held. The baby wrapped her tiny fingers around Kelsey's thumb and stared at her face. "I wish she would smile at me," Kelsey said.

"Don't worry," Mom replied. "She's just getting to know us. Give her some time to get used to regular meals and a safe place to sleep, and she'll be smiling in no time!"

"Will we get to keep her?" Kelsey asked, still holding the little one's hand.

"We don't know the future," Mom replied gently. "We're her foster family for now because her home isn't safe. But there are people working with her parents to help them become safe for her. If that goes well, she will get to go home with her mom and dad."

Kelsey sighed. "I want her to be with her parents, but I want her to stay with us too. I can't decide."

"Well, honey, thankfully it isn't up to you to decide. We can trust that God already knows this little one's future, and He loves her even more than her parents do, and more than we do. Whether she stays with us or goes home with her parents, or even if she grows up in a different family altogether, we can pray that God would shine the light of His love into her life." Mom smiled at Kelsey. "My mother always used to say, 'I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.' God is a loving Father with strong hands. He holds all of us, not just this sweet little girl. He also knows your future, Kelsey. And since you know Jesus, He has wonderful things in store for you and for all those who have eternal life with Him."

Kelsey leaned in to give the baby a kiss, then pulled back quickly. "Mom, I think I know what the future holds."

"Oh really?" Mom's eyebrows went up.

"Yup. It's a new diaper. This baby stinks!" Kelsey laughed as she dramatically held her nose.

Mom started laughing too. "You're certainly right!"

The baby looked at their smiling faces, and the edges of her mouth lifted a little.

"She smiled, Mom! Her future is looking brighter already."

Mom nodded as she carried the baby to the changing table. "It certainly is with a big foster sister like you!"

-Karen McMillan

How About You?
Do you worry about the future? Are there difficult situations in your family or some big concerns ahead for you? You can trust that God already knows about them--our difficulties never catch Him off guard. He holds the future in His hands, and He has wonderful plans in place for those who trust in Jesus, even though we still face difficulties in our lives. Trust Him to be with you through life's problems, knowing you have a bright future with Him.

Today's Key Verse:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV) (Jeremiah 29:11)

Today's Key Thought:
God holds the future

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9

"Hurry, Dad!" urged Archer as he and his father sped down the freeway toward the baseball stadium. It was his first time going to a major league baseball game, and he didn't want to miss any part of it. "If we're late, we might not find a good place to sit!"

"Don't worry, Archer. They won't give our seats away. Our tickets are right here." Dad tapped his left jacket pocket. "Bought and paid for. Our places are reserved for us."

"Reserved--that means they're saved for us, right?"

"Right," said Dad as he turned into the stadium parking lot. "People make reservations all the time--for airplane tickets, hotel rooms, restaurants, and…" Dad patted his pocket again. "For seats at baseball games." He glanced at Archer. "You may not have known it, but when you trusted Jesus as your Savior at camp last month, He made a reservation for you then too."

"Really?" Archer looked at his father in surprise.

"Yes!" said Dad. "You now have a reservation in heaven, and there will always be a place there for you. Jesus paid for it Himself by dying on the cross for your sins and rising from the dead, and when He comes back one day, you'll have your own special place in the new, perfect world He creates."

They parked the car and hurried to the stadium. "Are you sure they saved our seats?" asked Archer as he looked at the sea of spectators. "If they didn't, we'll probably have to stand up the entire game!"

Dad smiled as he looked at the stubs of their tickets. He motioned toward a man who was helping people find their seats. "That gentleman will show us where to go," said Dad. "Come on."

Archer followed his dad through the noisy crowd, and soon, there they were--two empty seats. "All right!" said Archer. "Here they are, Dad! Just waiting for us!"

As they settled down into their seats, Dad turned to Archer. "These seats are great, but they're nothing compared to having reservations in heaven, are they? I'm glad there are places saved for both of us there." Archer smiled and nodded, then turned toward the field to watch the game.

–Jonnye R. Griffin

How About You?
Do you ever worry that you don't have a place reserved in heaven? If you've confessed that you're a sinner and trusted Jesus as your Savior, you've been given a place in His eternal kingdom that will never be taken away. If you haven't trusted Him as your Savior, don't wait. Trust in Jesus today, and you will have a place with Him for all eternity. (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:
[God has given us] a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance…reserved in heaven for you. (NKJV) (1 Peter 1:3-4)

Today's Key Thought:
Reserve your place in heaven

Bible Reading: Psalm 105:1-8; Luke 12:22-31

Emma lay in bed, listening to her parents' voices on the other side of the wall.

"We can't afford a vacation this year, Lindsey." Dad's voice sounded sad.

Emma could barely hear her mother's worried voice. "How are we going to pay this bill, Jeff?" Emma huddled deeper under her blankets. She knew her parents didn't want her to worry, but her stomach hurt.

Everything was different. First Dad lost his job, then Mom worked longer hours. Dad searched for a new job every day, yet Emma had overheard her parents say they might need to move. "God, can't you give my dad his job back?" Emma prayed as she drifted to sleep.

Mom poked her head into Emma's room the next morning. "Time to get ready for church, sleepyhead."

"Why?" Emma asked. "If God can do the things we learn about in church, why doesn't He give Dad a job?"

"Get ready," Mom told her. "We'll talk some more after breakfast."

After Emma rinsed her cereal bowl, Mom led her outside. "Look at the bird feeder."

"Mom, we haven't filled it since Dad lost his job," Emma pointed out.

"Are the birds worried about the empty feeder?" Mom asked.

Emma looked around. She saw sparrows nibbling in the trees. Others rooted in the grass, and still more perched on their neighbor's feeder. "No," Emma answered.

"For years, God provided for our family through Dad's job," Mom explained. "God is still providing, but in different ways."

"Like how the birds that used to come to our feeder now go other places?" Emma asked.

"Yes," said Mom. "The Bible stories you learn in church remind us how God has helped many people through many hard times in many different ways. He helped us when we needed it most by sending Jesus to save us from sin, and we can trust Him to help us in every situation we face. Church is also where we can connect with other Christians and hear them thank God for what He's done to help them. Their words remind us that God is with us and cares for us even though our situation may be different from theirs."

"And thanking God at church for providing for us might help someone else," Emma said as she headed for the car.

–Heidi J. Schmidt

How About You?
When life changes, do you think about how God has cared for you in the past? Do you spend time with other Christians who can remind you of His love and promises? Have you thanked Him for how He is caring for you now? Remember that God can care for you and your family in many different ways. No matter what your situation is, God is always with you. His love never fails.

Today's Key Verse:
Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! (NKJV) (Psalm 105:1)

Today's Key Thought:
God provides in different ways