Bible Reading: Psalm 139:1-4, 13-14

Jonah sat on the rope swing in the backyard, thinking about the new boy in his class at school while his mom weeded the flower garden. "Hey, Mom," Jonah said. "Have you ever heard of autism?"

"Yes, why do you ask?" asked Mom.

"Well, there's this new kid in my class named Max," explained Jonah. "My teacher said he has a form of autism that might make him react differently or say things in a way that might seem odd sometimes. She told us to be extra patient and kind as he adjusts to a new school. He seems really smart--like in science class he knew all sorts of facts about outer space and space missions. But then at lunch, he sat all by himself even after I invited him to sit at my table. He didn't seem like he wanted to be bothered. I'm not sure what to do."

"People with autism sometimes make friends a little differently," said Mom. "Being around a large group of people is probably challenging for Max."

"I want to be friends with him, but I'm not sure how," Jonah said.

Mom looked at her flower garden. "Do you see how these lilies are starting to fall over? Every year, I have to tie them to a stick for extra support. Maybe Max just needs a friend like you to give him extra support in the friendship department."

"You mean I can kind of be like the stick to help prop him up?" asked Jonah.

Mom nodded. "You can ask to sit with him at his lunch table tomorrow so he doesn't feel so overwhelmed by a crowd. You can support him by listening to him and trying to understand how he sees things. As you get to know him, I think you'll find that there are areas you struggle with where he can support you."

Jonah grinned. "Like science!"

"God made Max with unique abilities, just like He made you with special talents and skills," Mom said. "He gave us all different gifts so we can use them to help each other. Jesus knows we all need His love and support, and He often shows it to us through other people. You can be that friend for Max--and he can help support you too."

-Kendra Angle

How About You?
Do you know someone who could use some extra support? Maybe it's someone with a special need, like autism or a physical disability. Perhaps a friend struggles in a school subject you're good at. God has given each of us different strengths, and we all face different struggles in life too. You can show the love of Jesus to your friends by offering support in areas where they need it--and when you need help with something, they can support you too.

Today's Key Verse:
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV) (Galatians 6:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Friends support each other

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Dad groaned as he sat down to put on his snow boots. "This cold weather is unbearable! After this winter, I'll never complain about being too warm again. I wish we had a hot sun right now."

With a twinkle in her eye, Theodore's mom pulled up something on her phone and handed it to her son. Theodore grinned at her and put his finger to his lips. "Shhh," he mouthed. Then he snuck up behind Dad and hit the play button.

"Whew!" Dad's voice boomed from the speaker. "This heat is unbearable! I'll never complain about the cold again. I'd give a lot for a few inches of snow right now."

"What!" Startled, Dad twisted around in his chair to look at Theodore. "When did you record that?"

Theodore laughed. "Last summer. Mom and I hear the same thing every summer and every winter. We just wanted you to hear it yourself."

Dad laughed too. "Caught by my own words. How quickly we forget. I guess we're hard to please, aren't we?"

Mom nodded. "It's easy for us to find something to complain about, isn't it?"

"I don't complain about the weather," said Theodore. "I like summer, and I like winter. I'm easy to get along with." He grinned at his parents.

"I wasn't just talking about weather complaints," said Mom.

"I know." Theodore sighed. "I guess I do complain about other things. Instead of looking for things to complain about, we should focus on being thankful for good things, shouldn't we?"

"Right!" said Mom. "God has filled our lives with so many good things, and He's given us the best gift of all--Jesus. The Bible reminds us that we can be content no matter what our circumstances are like because of Him. Even when things aren't the way we'd like them to be, we can rest in the hope and joy of Jesus, knowing we have eternal life with Him."

"Thank you both for the reminder." Dad finished lacing his boots and stood up. "I'd better go shovel the driveway and be thankful I don't have to pull weeds in the garden today." He grinned at Theodore. "Did you record this conversation too? I might need to be reminded of it again when the weeds start to grow."

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Is it easy for you to find things to complain about? When things change, do you notice something else you wish was different? Things aren't always the way we wish they were, but the Bible tells us that instead of complaining, we can be content. Because of Jesus, we can look past our present circumstances to the eternal hope and joy we have in Him. Thank God today for the gifts He's given you, and trust Him to help you be content.

Today's Key Verse:
I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. (CSB) (Philippians 4:11 )

Today's Key Thought:
Be content in any situation

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:12-17; 1 Peter 1:13-16

"I love the glasses you picked out, Elena," Mom said when she and Elena arrived home from the eye doctor. "They look so good on you!"

Elena sighed as she took off her coat and hung it up. "That's what they said at the doctor's office too, but…" She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. "But I really don't want to wear my glasses to school tomorrow, Mom. What if kids make fun of me?"

"Oh, Elena, lots of kids wear glasses, and yours look very nice," Mom told her. "Don't be afraid to let the kids at school see that you wear glasses now. If anyone gives you a hard time about it, let me know, but I'm sure the kids will get used to your new look in no time."

Elena looked at the glasses in her hand. "I guess you're right," she said as she slipped them back on. "Being teased isn't as bad as not being able to see well."

"That's right." Mom set her purse on the table and hung up her coat. "You know, I remember being afraid of being teased for my new look when I was about your age."

"Really?" Elena flopped down on the couch. "Did you get glasses then too?"

"No," Mom replied. "I was afraid kids would tease me if they knew I was a Christian."

"Oh," said Elena. "I guess that's a much bigger change than getting new glasses!"

Mom nodded. "I was a new Christian, and I was thrilled to be a follower of Jesus and have Him in my life. But when I was with my friends, I still talked and acted the way I always had. I had a new life, but I was afraid my friends would tease me if I let them see the change Jesus had made in me." Mom smiled at Elena. "Just like you need to put on your new glasses, I needed to put on my new self. I was afraid to do that--we all are sometimes--but God worked in my heart and helped me be brave enough to show my friends my new look."

Elena smiled. "I'll be brave tomorrow!" she declared. "I'll put on my new glasses, and I'll trust God to help me put on my new self too!"

-Rita Valladares

How About You?
Are you afraid of being laughed at because you're a Christian? Are you hesitant to let your friends see the difference Jesus makes in your life? He has made you a new person, and He will help you take off your old self and put on your new one. Remember that He is with you and will give you courage, even if people make fun of you. Trust Him to help you show others the new life He's given you.

Today's Key Verse:
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. (NKJV) (Colossians 3:17 )

Today's Key Thought:
Let others see your new self

Bible Reading: John 14:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Revelation 21:1-4, 18-27

Arlo took a bite of his meatloaf. "We learned about heaven in Sunday school today," he said. "But there's something I don't understand. I know heaven is supposed to be wonderful, but it doesn't sound so great to me. Won't it be boring, just walking around on a golden street, singing hymns?"

"I'm sure we'll be doing more than that," Dad said.

"That's what Mr. Davis said too." Arlo sighed. "The Bible doesn't tell us a lot about it though, does it?"

"No," Dad replied, "but we do know that it will be a wonderful, beautiful place. And the best part is that we'll finally be with Jesus."

"Right," said Mom. "Sometimes it's hard to understand how great that will be, but think about how glad you are to see Grandpa and Grandma when we visit them. Seeing Jesus will be even better."

Arlo ate the last bite of his meatloaf. "I wonder why God didn't tell us more about what heaven will be like."

"For one thing, it would be impossible for our minds to understand all the good things He has planned for us, but we do know Jesus will make everything new one day and give us bodies that never get sick or die." Dad looked over at four-year-old Felix. "Finish your carrots, Felix. We're almost ready for dessert."

"What is it?" Felix asked as he stabbed a forkful of carrots.

Mom just smiled. "It's a surprise, but I promise you'll like it."

"Can I have mine now, Mom?" asked Arlo.

Mom shook her head. "Let's wait till Felix is ready," she said quietly. "It's his favorite. If he sees it, he'll get so excited he won't want to finish his carrots."

Soon they were all enjoying chocolate marshmallow bars. "I just thought of another reason God didn't tell us exactly what heaven will be like," Arlo announced with a grin. "If we knew, we'd probably get so excited we wouldn't be able to focus on what God wants us to do on earth now."

"Like Felix wouldn't have been able to finish his carrots if he knew what dessert was coming," Mom said. "We just need to trust that spending eternity with Jesus will be better than anything we can imagine!"

-Sherry L. Kuyt

How About You?
Do you ever wonder what heaven will be like? The Bible tells us some things about it, but we won't really know what God has in store for us until we get there. But even though we don't know exactly what heaven will be like, we know it will be perfect because of who we'll be with--Jesus! We will be whole and full of joy because we'll be with Him. Look forward to spending eternity with Jesus, and help more people know about Him now so they can be with Him forever too.

Today's Key Verse:
In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (NKJV) (Psalm 16:11)

Today's Key Thought:
Heaven will be wonderful

Bible Reading: Hebrews 10:22-25

Dorian's remote control car zipped down the driveway. He pushed a lever on the control box to turn the car around and guide it back to the garage. "Ready, Dad?" Dorian asked as his father came out with a similar car in his hand. "Let's hit the parking lot!"

When they reached the nearby parking lot, a couple of boys were already there. "That's okay. There's room for all of us," Dad said, and he and Dorian went to the far end, away from the others.

They had a good time. Dad made his model jump off the curb, somersault, and flip back onto its tires. Dorian skidded his through some dirt, turning it sharply to catch up with Dad's car. But then he had a problem. "Dad! My car is going crazy! I can't control it!"

Dad watched for a moment. "I think it's too far away to receive your signals. Look--it's too close to those other boys and must be on the same frequency as one of their cars. I think it's following the directions one of them is giving."

Just then one of the boys saw what was happening with Dorian's car. "I'll send it back to you," he called. Soon Dorian was able to control his car again.

"What happened there reminds me of how important it is for Christians to stay focused on the right source of guidance in our lives," Dad said. "If we get too distracted by the things of this world, we can be influenced in the wrong direction. But if we delight in God, He will keep our lives on the right path."

Dorian looked at his car and made it turn sharply as it nearly bumped into a curb. "I understand, Dad. I want my life to follow Jesus's way!"

"Me too," said Dad. "As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, and He often does that by communicating God's truth and love to us at church and as we pray and read His Word. Let's focus on the help He offers us and trust Him to lead us in the right direction."

-Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
Are you easily distracted from God? Nothing this world has to offer can compare to the love, hope, and joy found in Jesus. Make Him the focus of your life. Take time today to pray about finding ways to make God's truth--found in the Bible--central to the way you live. As Christians, we have God's Holy Spirit, and we can trust Him to remind us of His truth, love, and promises. Delight in Him, and He will strengthen you spiritually.

Today's Key Verse:
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (NKJV) (James 4:8)

Today's Key Thought:
Focus on Jesus