Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:32-5

Wyatt called to Mom as he raced down the stairs and toward the back door. "I'm heading out to my garden to weed." Wyatt had his own garden in the backyard and was looking forward to caring for his plants.

Mom stuck her head out of the kitchen. "Can you take William with you, please? He's been wanting to go outside all day."

Wyatt sighed. Taking William with him would make tending his garden go much slower with all the questions he would ask. Wyatt was tempted to complain, but thought better of it. Mom needed to take care of baby Rose since she was teething and feeling miserable. Besides, William could be cute sometimes.

"William," Wyatt said, "do you want to come with me to the garden?"

"Yes!" William shrieked with delight. "Will you help me put on my shoes? Why do we have to go to the garden? What are we going to do there?"

Wyatt sighed but smiled as he kneeled down to buckle William's sandals. "We need to go to the garden to pull weeds and care for the plants."

William paused a moment, but soon thought of more questions. "How do we care for plants? Why do we pull weeds?"

Wyatt continued to answer William's questions as they headed outside. "We care for the plants by checking to see what they need. They may need water or extra support. If we don't pull the weeds, the plants won't have room to grow." He knew there would be many more questions before the day was done. Mom and Dad had told him that asking questions was how William learned and that answering them kindly and carefully helped him grow and showed him God's love. The kind of love Jesus shows us, Wyatt thought. Love that is always patient as He helps us learn and grow.

While William paused to chase a butterfly, Wyatt realized something. Showing patience and kindness to William wasn't that different from taking care of his plants. He decided he would keep tending William and do what was needed to help him grow.

–Myrical Barton

How About You?
Do you get impatient when younger kids ask lots of questions? Does it annoy you when friends or classmates don't understand something? Remember that Jesus is patient and loving toward you and that you show His love to others by treating them the same way. Be patient with others and do all you can to help them grow.

Today's Key Verse:
Be patient, bearing with one another in love. (NIV) (Ephesians 4:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Be patient and help others grow

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:65-73

Denver tugged his mother's hand. "Come on, Mom! I want to find out if my science fair project won a ribbon!"

"Okay, but help me keep an eye on Darcy," Denver's mom answered as she motioned for his little sister to follow them.

When they arrived at the table holding Denver's project, they spotted a red ribbon attached to the board displaying Denver's research.

"Second place! Cool!" Denver exclaimed. Then he, his mom, and Darcy walked around the gym looking at other projects. Denver congratulated some of his friends on their ribbons too.

"Denver, did you give Darcy a piece of gum?" Mom asked.

"No, I know Darcy's too little for gum."

"Well, she's chewing something." The three of them sat down on the gym's bleachers so Mom could ask Darcy about the gum. When they realized Darcy had yanked an old, already-chewed piece of gum from under one of the science fair tables, Denver cried, "Gross!"

Darcy began to whimper.

"Darcy, it's okay," Denver consoled his sister. "Mom, why would she do that?"

"She's little. She saw something that looked good, so she grabbed it. She doesn't have much experience making wise decisions yet. But she's not the only one who needs help making good choices." Mom smiled and shook her head. Then they returned to admiring the science projects set up in the gym.

On the ride home, Denver asked, "Mom, what did you mean about how Darcy's not the only one who needs help making choices?"

"Well, we all need help choosing what's best sometimes," said Mom.

"Because not everything that looks good is actually good for us," Denver said. "Like Darcy's gum."

"Exactly," Mom replied. "Thankfully, we have a place to turn when we need wisdom. Because you and I trust in Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins and then came back to life so we could have a relationship with God, we can go to our heavenly Father with any need we face, and He'll give us guidance."

"Good to know, Mom. I'm going to ask God for guidance about next year's science project--and about keeping Darcy away from old chewing gum."

–Allison Wilson Lee

How About You?
Have you ever faced a decision and needed help? We all have choices in life to make, and some of them are difficult. But as God's children, we can ask God for help and trust Him for wisdom in making decisions. As we look to God's Word, the Bible, for guidance and share our needs with Him, He will help us make wise choices that show others we have a relationship with Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (NIV) (Psalm 32:8)

Today's Key Thought:
God helps us make wise choices

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 31:4-6

Editor's note: This story may not be suitable for young children.

Asha's heart was pounding. She walked slowly down the jetway to the plane, clutching her mother's hand. "It'll be okay," Mom told her gently. "I know you're scared, but everything will be all right."

Asha looked up at Mom with her big round eyes, then snapped them back to the open door of the plane. Just a week ago, a bomb went off at an airport in another country. Asha shuddered as images of wrecked planes on the news flashed into her mind. She definitely didn't want anything like that to happen to her and Mom!

They finally crossed from the jetway to the plane, and the flight attendant greeted them with a warm smile as they began shuffling down the aisle. Mom pointed out their seats. "Row 27, seat F. That's you, Asha. I'll be in the seat right in front of you."

Asha's stomach lurched. "But Mom, I want you right next to me! I can't ride the whole way by myself. What if I lose you?"

"Don't worry, honey," Mom said as she slid into her row and pointed to the seat behind her. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here with you the whole way."

Asha climbed into her seat, buckled her belt, and stared out the window as the plane rolled into position on the runway. The engines began to roar, and she felt the pressure of the plane building up. She thought about her mother's words and remembered a Bible verse she had learned in church. "The Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you." She realized that even if flying on a plane seemed really scary to her, Jesus would be there to comfort her, just like Mom was with her on the plane. He would never leave her. Even if something horrible did happen and the plane crashed, He would still be with her, and she'd go to heaven to be with Him there.

She smiled as she sat back in the seat, feeling more comfortable. She spoke up so Mom could hear her. "Thanks for being here with me, Mom. I know Jesus will be with both of us too!"

–Dylan Kraayenbrink

How About You?
Do you often see scary things on the news? It's hard not to worry about the bad things that happen in the world. But remember that if you trust in Jesus, He'll always be with you to comfort you and carry you through every situation. No matter what happens, Jesus will never leave you. Your future is safe with Him.

Today's Key Verse:
The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged. (CSB) (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Today's Key Thought:
God comforts His children

Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:1-6; Hebrews 12:1-2

"Can you quiz me on some review questions for a test, Dad?" Lydia asked one evening. Dad agreed, so Lydia handed him her study sheet.

Dad asked Lydia several questions on topics she had studied. "Just a few to go," Dad said finally. "What's the name of the famous tower in Italy? And why is it famous?"

"The Leaning Tower of Pisa," Lydia replied. "It was supposed to stand straight, but the ground it was built on was soft and it began to lean during construction."

"Good," said Dad, closing the book. "I'll have to make up some harder questions if I'm going to stump you. Let's see…what's the Leaning Tower of Pisa leaning on?"

Lydia had to think about that one. "Is that a trick question? It doesn't seem to be leaning on anything." Looking out the window, Lydia saw her little brother wobbling down the driveway on his bike. "Eli's leaning on something though. Without those training wheels, he'd fall right over!" She grinned. "Is God holding up the tower? Maybe He's what's keeping it from falling over."

"That's an interesting idea," said Dad. "Eli, the tower in Pisa, you and me, we all need to have something--or someone--to lean on." He smiled. "Eventually Eli will learn to ride his bike without leaning on those training wheels. But as Christians, we'll always need someone to hold us up."

"You mean Jesus, don't you?" asked Lydia.

"That's right," said Dad. "If we think we can get through life or be a good person by leaning on our own efforts, we'll just fall right over. Only by leaning on Jesus--trusting in Him--can we be saved from sin and love others the way God calls us to. It's impossible for us to do it ourselves." He paused. "I'm not sure what's holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Some people think it might fall one day. But our foundation--Jesus--will never let us fall. No matter what happens, He will always hold us up."

Lydia smiled. "So, because I trust in Jesus, I'm Leaning Lydia! I'll have to remember that."

"Good," said Dad. "That's way more important to remember than anything on your study sheet!"

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
Are you leaning on Jesus? Or are you trying to hold yourself up? Only Jesus can save us from sin and provide us with all we need to live a life that points to His goodness and love. He wants us to lean on Him, and He puts people in our lives we can lean on too in hard times, like friends and family. You can trust that He will never let you fall. (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:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. (NKJV) (Proverbs 3:5)

Today's Key Thought:
Lean on Jesus

Bible Reading: Acts 9:26-31

"That's enough TV for today, Simon," Grandma said, turning it off. "Don't you have homework to do?"

Simon shrugged. "It doesn't matter, Grandma." He reached down and scooped up Tiger, the stray cat Grandma had rescued. "Even if I do it, Mrs. Stevens still won't like me."

"I thought you enjoyed her class. What happened?" Grandma asked.

"I do like it. But I forgot to do my homework a few times, and now she always asks me if I've done it."

"That doesn't mean she doesn't like you, Simon," Grandma said. "She cares about you and wants to help you be responsible and do your work."

"But she won't let me go to the puzzle corner during study hall unless my homework's done. And if I tell her it's done, she doesn't believe me! She makes me show her my work." Simon stroked the fur on Tiger's back, making him purr. "She doesn't make anyone else do that."

"I see," said Grandma. "Simon, do you remember when I first got Tiger?"

Simon remembered how skinny Tiger had been. His striped fur was dirty, and one ear was torn. "Tiger hissed and scratched at anyone who came near him," said Simon.

Grandma nodded. "Tiger had been mistreated. It was hard for him to trust people again. I spoke gently to him and offered him his favorite foods for many days. Then one morning Tiger stepped away from his dish and brushed against my legs. More time went by before he trusted me enough to let me pet him."

"But he's okay now," Simon said as he gently petted the purring cat. "I guess he figured out we're not going to hurt him."

"Sometimes when we make mistakes, it takes people a while to trust us again, just like Tiger," Grandma said. "But that doesn't mean we should give up. Jesus always forgives our wrongs and gives us the strength to do what's right. He'll help us show others we can be trusted again. But it can take time."

"You mean, if I continue to do my homework, eventually Mrs. Stevens won't need to remind me anymore?"

"Not only that, Simon," said Grandma. "You'll also show her--and yourself--that because of Jesus, you have the power to change."

–Heidi J. Schmidt

How About You?
Have you lost someone's trust because of a mistake you made? Have you felt like giving up showing you've changed? Remember that God works through people who make mistakes. The apostle Paul made some big mistakes before Jesus saved him. Depend on Jesus for the strength to do what is right, and ask Him to help others notice the change.

Today's Key Verse:
If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. (NLT) (Luke 16:10 )

Today's Key Thought:
Trust takes time