Bible Reading: Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:18-20; 5:8-9

Shay and her friends Kiara and Brinleigh squeezed their way through the crowded bleachers. "Did we miss anything?" Brinleigh asked.

"I don't think so," said Kiara. "No touchdowns on the scoreboard yet."

Kiara and Brinleigh watched and cheered the high school team with the rest of the crowd, but Shay found it hard to concentrate on the game. She pulled out her phone and started scrolling.

Suddenly, the crowd gasped in awe. Shay looked up to see if someone had made a touchdown, only to see people looking up at the sky. "What happened?" she asked her friends.

"You didn't see it?" said Kiara. "A meteor shot through the sky right over the football field. It was huge!"

"And so pretty!" added Brinleigh.

After the game, Shay made her way over to where her parents and little brother were sitting. "Did you see the shooting star?" asked Henry. Shay shook her head.

"It was right over the football field," Mom said. "Weren't you watching the game?"

"Um, well…I sort of got busy with other stuff," Shay said.

Mom frowned. "Like what?"

"Um…my phone," Shay muttered.

Mom sighed. "After your close call with the car yesterday, I thought you would learn to pay more attention to what's around you."

"I did too." Shay sighed. "But it's harder than I thought it would be."

Mom nodded. "I'm sorry you missed seeing the meteor, Shay. Whenever I see the wonders of the night sky, I'm reminded of God's power and love. Stars, planets, meteors--God created those things to point us to Him. He wants to have a relationship with us--so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins and then raised Him from the dead! And He's filled our lives with people who care about us and so many wonderful blessings to enjoy. But in order to enjoy them, we need to pay attention." Mom gave Shay's shoulder a squeeze. "Now, when we get home, let's do what we said we would do yesterday and talk about some phone boundaries that would help you use your phone wisely. I want to make sure you're able to enjoy the blessings all around you."

Shay nodded in agreement. "Me too."

-Courtney Lasater

How About You?
Do you ever stop to notice the wonderful things God has put in your life? The beauty of creation, the taste of good food, the people who care about you--these are all gifts from God that are meant to point you to Him. We live in a distracting world, but don't let that cause you to miss the blessings God has given you. Pay attention so you can enjoy the many things in your life that point to God's love and goodness.

Today's Key Verse:
Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. (NLT) (James 1:17)

Today's Key Thought:
Pay attention to God's blessings

Bible Reading: Matthew 28:20; 1 Peter 5:7

BZZZ! Shay looked down at her phone. There was a new text from her friend Kiara. Hey, you coming to the game Friday?

Shay's thumbs flew across the screen. Definitely!

"Shay!" her mother called out.

Shay looked up to see her little brother Henry struggling to carry three plates of food to the table at once. Shay grabbed two of them just in time. "Sorry!" she said. "Just working out some plans with Kiara for Friday night."

"Uh-huh," said her mom. "Well, what do you think about my idea for rearranging the living room?"

"Umm…what was it again?" asked Shay.

Mom sighed. "That's it. No more phones while setting the table!"

The next morning, Shay got another text from Kiara on her way to school. Meeting at Brinleigh's for pizza tomorrow before the game! Shay was texting her response when a loud HONK! pierced her ears. She looked up to see a car headed straight for her.

Shay dove back toward the sidewalk and fell to the ground as the car sped by. Pain shot through her hands where they had scraped against the concrete. She groaned. I must have started crossing the street without looking at the light, she thought.

Shay ran back home. When she walked in, Mom gasped. "Shay! What happened?" she asked as she took out the first aid kit.

Shay began to cry as she explained her close encounter with the car. After Shay finished her story, Mom took a deep breath. "Oh, honey, I know you want to stay connected with your friends, but I think we need to set some boundaries for your phone going forward."

Shay nodded. "I often feel like I need to respond right away when someone texts me, even when it's not a good time."

Mom gave her a hug. "God loves us so much, and He's there for us whenever we need Him. But unlike God, we can't be available for everyone's needs all the time, and sometimes for our own safety and well-being--or to give our full attention to those who are with us in person--we need to turn off our phones and wait to respond. Let's talk some more about it and then pray and ask Jesus to give you wisdom in how to use your phone."

-Courtney Lasater

How About You?
Do you use phones, computers, and other technology wisely? Sometimes it can be hard to know when it's a good time to use your device or respond to a message and when it's not. Just remember that you can't always be available for everyone, but God can! Jesus can handle all our needs, and sometimes you need to take a break from technology for your own well-being or to spend time with people in person. Trust God to help you use technology wisely so it benefits both you and others.

Today's Key Verse:
And my God will give you everything you need because of His great riches in Christ Jesus. (NLV) (Philippians 4:19)

Today's Key Thought:
Use technology wisely

Bible Reading: Matthew 11:28-30

"That's so unfair!" Joey exclaimed. He and his mom were learning about elephants and had just read that in some places elephants were sometimes made to carry heavy loads on their backs. "Elephants are already so heavy--to give them more weight is mean!"

"Well," said Mom, "some big, heavy animals are able to carry a lot of weight on their backs, but elephants' bodies are not designed that way. So you're right--they should not be made to carry heavy loads on their backs." She turned toward the hallway as Joey's baby sister began to cry, then put the book down and went to the baby's room. Joey took out his train set and was soon winding tracks all around the family room.

When dinner was ready, Mom asked Joey to clean up his train set and other toys. Joey frowned. "I don't want to clean up these toys! Can't you do it tonight, Mom?"

"Joey, do you remember what made you upset this afternoon?" Mom asked.

"Oh yeah," Joey said. "The elephants! That was so mean to add to their weight!"

Quietly, Mom said, "Joey, do you realize that people carry heavy loads too? And that when we don't help out or do our share--when we argue and make things more difficult--we're adding to their weight?"

Looking down, Joey replied, "Well, no. I never thought about that."

"Everyone carries something," Mom said. "I carry the weight of taking care of you and your sister. Mr. Johnson next door carries the weight of helping Mrs. Johnson while she's sick. Your father carries the weight of making sure we have everything we need. Carrying around weight is part of life. But do you know that God's Word tells us that rather than adding to someone's burdens, we should bear them by helping to carry them? And do you know why that is so special?"

"Why?" asked Joey.

"Because that's what Jesus does for us. He tells us in the Bible, 'Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Because He loves us, Jesus took our greatest burden--the weight of our sin--so He could offer us rest. When we help carry one another's burdens, we are reminding each other of the ultimate burden bearer--Jesus!"

-Cara Blondo

How About You?
Do you think about the weight those around you are carrying? Your parents, teachers, and even friends all have some concern on their hearts that may be weighing them down. By remembering what Jesus did for you, you can imitate Him by helping alleviate their burdens. Help carry the extra weight on their hearts by offering a helping hand, not talking back, and being patient with them.

Today's Key Verse:
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (NKJV) (Galatians 6:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Help carry others' burdens

Bible Reading: Acts 1:8; 16:1-5

"Mom, look!" Max's older brother Bankston held up a paper. "I've got an application to help Mr. Brock at his store. Since he's new in town and doesn't know any of us very well, he's asking for references."

"References?" echoed Max. "What are those?"

"Mr. Brock said I should list the names of a few people who know me well," Bankston explained. "I wonder who I can list as a reference."

"How about the Chens?" suggested Mom. "And maybe the Pearsons."

Bankston looked a little sheepish. "I don't know," he said uncertainly. "I saw Mrs. Chen trying to load a heavy box into her car in the mall parking lot the other day, but I didn't stop to help. I was in a hurry so I pretended I didn't see her, but I think she knew I did. So I'm not sure I should ask her."

"You better not ask Mr. Pearson either," said Max. "He saw you push me when we were shoveling snow the other day."

Bankston noticed his mom's frown. "I'm sorry about that, Max," he said. "I was wrong, and now I'm not sure who I'm going to ask to be a reference."

"Well, I'll help you brainstorm after dinner," said Mom. "Let's put the application away for now--it's time to eat."

After dinner, Mom took out her Bible and read from the book of Acts. "That was interesting," she said when she finished. "It seems that Paul wanted to take Timothy with him on a missionary journey because of the good things Christians were saying about him in the town where Timothy lived."

"Good references would really be important for a trip like that!" said Max. "Paul knew Timothy would make a good missionary because he loved the people in his town and wanted them to know about Jesus."

Mom nodded. "Timothy was able to show others God's love because he had the Holy Spirit living in him, and since we also trust in Jesus, we do too! The Holy Spirit works in our hearts so we can love others like Jesus does and tell people about Him. We don't need to go on a missionary trip to share the love of Jesus--we can do that through our words and actions every day."

-Phyllis M. Robinson

How About You?
Do you know that the reason we can love others is because God loved us first? Do your words and actions reflect Jesus's love? Don't forget that you have the Holy Spirit, who fills you with God's love and is shaping you to be more like Jesus so others can see His love in your life. How can you show God's love to others today?

Today's Key Verse:
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere. (NLT) (Acts 1:8)

Today's Key Thought:
Show others God's love

Bible Reading: Revelation 21:1-5

Malachi stacked blocks with Ayanna, his two-year-old sister. Today, Aunt Tori was watching them while Uncle Mike helped Mom and Dad pack for next week's move. To save money, the two families had decided to move into one house.

Malachi began to place the blocks into the shape of a house, setting up four walls with space for a door. "Aunt Tori," he said, "this kind of looks like our new place."

"I love it!" Aunt Tori exclaimed.

"It still needs a roof though," replied Malachi with a puzzled expression. "Except I'm not sure how to make a triangle-shaped one like the house has."

"What about an open book?" asked Aunt Tori. "Ayanna, can you find a red book?"

After happily toddling over to the bookshelf, Ayanna presented a red paperback. "Wed book," she said with a grin.

Aunt Tori took the book, opened it slightly, and gently placed it on top of the walls Malachi had built. Just then, Mom, Dad, and Uncle Mike walked in.

Malachi motioned toward the blocks. "We made a mini house with a tiny red roof!"

"You've done a great job," said Dad. "Unfortunately, it's time to head back to our house for the night."

Ayanna burst into tears. "No want to go," she said as she flopped into Mom's arms. "Wanna play with Aunt Towi and Unca Mike."

"Oh, Ayanna," said Malachi, trying to comfort her. "I have good news for you! Pretty soon we'll be living in the same house with Aunt Tori and Uncle Mike, remember?" This seemed to help Ayanna feel a bit better.

On the car ride home, Dad said, "You know, Malachi, what you said to comfort Ayanna reminded me of Jesus's promises to us."

"How?" asked Malachi.

"Jesus promises that He will return someday to make all things new," said Dad. "Because He died and rose again for us and we have faith in Him, we know we will live forever with Jesus and other believers."

"That's right," said Mom. "Right now, we get to live with Aunt Tori and Uncle Mike in our earthly house, but one day we'll all get to live together in the new heavens and new earth with Jesus."

Malachi grinned. "Now that's good news!"

-Kandi Zeller

How About You?
Are you facing a big change in your life? Maybe it's something you're excited about, or maybe you feel disappointed or scared. As Christians, we can trust that our future is secure and that Jesus is with us no matter what we face. Even death can't separate us from God's love because we will get to live with Jesus and all our siblings in Christ forever! Until then, trust Jesus to be with you through life's changes, and look to other Christians for support too.

Today's Key Verse:
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people." (NLT) (Revelation 21:3)

Today's Key Thought:
Christians will live with Jesus forever