Bible Reading: John 9:1-7

As Emma and Chloe started home, they ran into Weston--a school bully. "Hey, Chloe, where'd you get this hat?" asked Weston as he grabbed the red cap from her head and tossed it down on the sidewalk. Chloe stared at him.

"Stop that!" yelled Emma, darting toward the cap. She returned it to Chloe, then glared at Weston. "You leave her alone."

"Thank you," said Chloe, smiling as she placed the cap back on her head. Weston laughed and walked away.

When the girls reached Chloe's house, Chloe smiled at Emma. "Wanna walk to school together tomorrow?" she asked.

"Sure," said Emma. Then she hurried on to her own house.

"What's up?" asked Mom when she saw the expression on Emma's face.

"I'm just thinking about Chloe," said Emma. "She has special needs, and some of the kids tease her." She sighed and plopped down onto the couch. "Why does God allow some people to have problems like hers? Did He make a mistake when He created them?"

"A mistake?" asked Mom.

"Well, it doesn't seem like life can be much fun for Chloe," said Emma. "She has to work hard to learn even simple things."

"Yes, she does," said Mom. "And because of that, Chloe's parents are extremely proud of all she can do. Chloe is the joy of their lives."

"Yes, but…" Emma paused. "What about Chloe? She can't be having much fun."

"Oh, I think she is," said Mom. "Her mom tells me how much Chloe looks forward to going to school every day. She loves to learn and always wants to help her classmates when they don't understand something. Chloe is a happy girl who cares about others--and she often talks about her friend Emma."

"Really?" asked Emma in surprise.

Mom nodded. "Always remember that God made and loves each one of us, and He has a purpose for all He does. Although we don't know all God's reasons for making Chloe the way He has, we know that people like her bring God glory. God never makes a mistake. Even though we don't fully understand how, Chloe is glorifying God in her own unique way."

–Michelle Davidson

How About You?
Does it seem like God sometimes makes mistakes in what He allows to happen? The people in today's Bible reading wondered why a man was born blind. Jesus said it was so God's power could be shown in that man's life--and then Jesus healed him to show people who He was. God has a purpose for everything, even when we don't understand it. He never makes mistakes.

Today's Key Verse:
Who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? (NKJV) (Exodus 4:11)

Today's Key Thought:
God has a purpose for all

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:7-12; Matthew 6:28-30

Austin sighed as he dropped his backpack to the kitchen floor and sat down at the table. His family had moved recently, and he missed his old school and all the friends he'd left behind.

"Did you have a good day?" Mom asked. Austin shook his head. "I know it's hard for you, Austin," Mom said. "Adjusting takes time."

"I guess," said Austin. "But I don't think I'll ever like my new teacher as much as I liked Mr. Jackson. And the kids here play games I've never heard of!"

"Well, give your new school a chance," said Mom. "You've only been there a couple of days. And remember, Jesus is just as close to you here as He was before. Trust Him--He can help you." She opened the patio door. "Speaking of help, do you want help filling the planters with the flowers I bought today?"

"Okay," said Austin. They got to work, and when the planting was finished, Austin stood and admired the bright petunias and geraniums.

When Austin came home from school the next day, the plants were drooping. "Mom, what's wrong with the flowers we planted?"

"Their roots were shocked when we repotted them," said Mom. "But they'll be all right. They'll adjust, and soon they'll look better than ever." She smiled at Austin. "How was your day?"

"Well…" Austin paused as he recalled things that had happened that day--his teacher saying, "Good job," when she handed back his math paper, and two boys asking him to play basketball with them at recess.

"You know what?" said Austin. "I think I'm kind of like those flowers. Moving here gave me a bit of a shock, but I'm adjusting."

"Good," said Mom. She smiled. "Think about it this way--we give our flowers everything they need in their new pots because we want them to grow. And God loves you even more than we love our flowers! He gives His children everything we need too--Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to help us and always be with us. He is with us during this transition. Keep talking to Jesus about it, and trust Him to help you grow."

–Carolyn E. Yost

How About You?
Has a recent change in your life left you feeling shocked and upset? It's normal to feel sad or lonely when you leave behind what's familiar for the new and unknown. Be patient, and trust Jesus to help you adjust to your new situation and use it to help you grow. He hasn't changed, and He never will--He will always care for you and be with you, no matter what.

Today's Key Verse:
I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (NKJV) (Matthew 28:20)

Today's Key Thought:
Trust God in times of change

Bible Reading: All You Have to Do Is Ask

Sarah groaned as she hunched over her math textbook. Mom looked up from her computer. "What's wrong, honey?" she asked. "You seem upset."

"I have a test tomorrow, and I've got to make a B to stay on the honor roll. I've tried and tried, but I just can't get these problems!" She threw down her pencil in frustration. "Plus, I messed up at practice this afternoon. There's no way Coach will let me start at the game next week. And did I mention that I don't have many friends?" Sarah pressed her face into her hands. "Nothing is going right!"

"I'm sorry, honey." Mom stood from the kitchen table. "Do you want a snack?"

"Sure, Mom. Ice cream, maybe? And a soda?"

Mom opened the refrigerator. "Have you talked to God about these problems?"

Sarah shrugged. "I guess. But it's like He's not even listening."

Mom set a glass on the table and unscrewed a bottle of vinegar. She poured vinegar into the glass. Then she cracked a raw egg into a bowl and set it in front of Sarah.

"Mom!" cried Sarah. "What are you doing?"

Mom smiled and took away the dishes. "I'm your mother, and I love you. So I wouldn't actually give you vinegar and a raw egg when you asked for a snack, right?"

"Right," said Sarah hesitantly.

"Well, God loves you even more than a parent could. When we ask God for something, we should trust that He will give us what's best. After all, He's already given us the best gift there is--Jesus!" Mom placed a glass of milk and a granola bar on the table. "Now, here's your real snack."

Sarah looked at the healthy food. "That's not what I asked for."

"No, it's not," said Mom. "But it's good for you. And God gives you good things too."

Sarah picked up the granola bar and grinned. "Even if it's not exactly what I wanted?"

"That's right," said Mom. "He loves to give us good gifts, but sometimes what we ask for isn't what's best for us. But He still gives us good things--like when you didn't have any friends and He brought you Hailey and Mallory, remember? All you have to do is ask."

–Jennifer Dillard

How About You?
What do you worry about? Friends? School? Sports? Family? Our lives can be stressful, and sometimes our worries can feel overwhelming. But we don't have to tackle our problems alone--Jesus tells us to bring them to Him. He promises to help us and give us good things, even though they may not be the things we ask for. Pray about whatever is worrying you today.

Today's Key Verse:
If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (NLT) (Matthew 7:11)

Today's Key Thought:
Bring your worries to God

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:13-16

"Look at that cute little penguin!" Abby said to her friend Kayla. "Waddle, waddle! Penguins are my favorite animal at the zoo."

"Look at this penguin. He's flying through the water!" Mom called out.

"Wow, they're fast swimmers," said Kayla. "Let's go see the polar bears now!"

"Okay. Bye, penguins," Abby said. She walked with Kayla over to the polar bear exhibit. "Wow, look at his feet! They're huge!"

"And his claws!" said Kayla. "God sure did make polar bears way different from penguins."

Abby giggled. "Yeah, the only thing they have in common is they both love the cold!"

By the end of the day, they had seen animals from North America to Africa. Kayla liked the giraffes best, but Abby still loved the penguins. On the way back through the zoo, Abby and Kayla ran inside the penguin exhibit one more time.

"I could just sit and watch the penguins all day," Abby said.

Kayla nodded. "Yeah, the penguins are really cool. You know, like awesome-cool. Well, cool-cool too. But I'm freezing!" Kayla and Abby both burst out laughing, then pretended to be penguins and waddled toward the exit.

When Abby got home, she showed her dad a penguin plush toy she'd gotten at the zoo gift shop. Then she waddled around like a penguin all evening, carrying her new plush toy in her arms.

During devotions that evening, Mom said, "You know, every time I visit the zoo, I come home even more amazed at God's creation. All those different animals, from penguins to giraffes, are so uniquely made."

"And we're pretty unique and special too," Dad added. "Listen to this Bible verse. 'For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.' God calls us His masterpiece! Out of all the creatures He's made, we are the most special to Him--so special that Jesus became one of us and died to save us so we could enjoy eternal life with Him."

"Wow," said Abby. "God calls me His masterpiece? That is so cool!"

After they had closed in prayer, Abby held her penguin close and went waddling down the hall to her room.

–Lisa Fuller

How About You?
Did you know that you are God's masterpiece? He made you unique--there is no one else like you. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for your sins. And He has a special plan for your life. Read Psalm 139:16 again--God had every day of your life recorded before you were even born. You are special because God made you, loves you, and calls you His masterpiece!

Today's Key Verse:
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (NLT) (Ephesians 2:10)

Today's Key Thought:
You are God's Masterpiece

Bible Reading: Psalm 62:6; Matthew 7:24-29

Jayce hung up his jacket and walked into the kitchen. "Hi, Mom," he said.

"Hey, buddy," replied Mom. "Need a glass of milk and a few crackers?"

Jayce nodded and plopped down in a chair while his mom poured him some milk. "You're not going to believe what happened to my project today," he said, shaking his head. He grabbed a cracker from a plate on the table. "I worked so hard to create that ancient Mayan city."

"Yes, and you did a great job on the temple and palace and all those other buildings," said Mom. "So what happened?"

"After you dropped me off at school, Ford came over and started asking questions about the project. He was carrying a bowl of water to use on his own project. Before I had two words out of my mouth, someone bumped into Ford, and my Mayan city was hit by a tidal wave!"

"Oh no!" said Mom.

"It washed the ground right out from under the main temple," continued Jayce. "When I was working on it a few weeks ago, somebody told me I should use plaster instead of sand for the ground. I should have listened."

"Well, I'm sorry your project got messed up," said Mom.

"Me too," said Jayce. Then he laughed. "But my teacher did say it was the most realistic disaster project she'd ever seen! She told me this should help me remember that things don't last unless they stand on a strong foundation and that sand doesn't make a good foundation for building."

Mom nodded. "It reminds me of the Bible passage about the importance of building our lives on Jesus," she said. "If we trust in anything or anyone other than Jesus, it's as though we're building on sand. We need to make Jesus our foundation by trusting Him to save us from sin. Then He will help us build our lives on His truth in the Bible and share His love with others in all we do."

Jayce grinned. "So I guess I shouldn't feel too bad. I may have chosen the wrong foundation for my project, but I trust in Jesus, so I have the right one for my life."

"Yes," said Mom. "That's much more important!"

–Jana Weed

How About You?
What foundation are you building your life on? Things like money and popularity come and go, and other people--even those we love and trust--will let us down at times. But Jesus is always good and always faithful. He is the only foundation that will last forever. Begin building your life on Him by trusting in Him today! (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:
The foundation that has already been built is Jesus Christ, and no one can build any other foundation. (ERV) (Build your life on Jesus)

Today's Key Thought:
1 Corinthians 3:11