Bible Reading: Psalm 107:8-9; Hebrews 5:12-14

"Why does Pastor Evans have to preach such long sermons?" grumbled Jasper on the way home from church. "It's always so boring!"

"I actually wished Pastor Evans hadn't quit so soon," said Dad. "He helped me understand some verses that had been hard for me to grasp before."

"Well, my Sunday school class is always really boring too," added Jasper.

"My class isn't boring," said his sister Karis. "Today we talked about the Israelites in the wilderness and learned a new song. What was your class about?"

Jasper shrugged. "I don't know--I wasn't really paying attention."

After lunch, Jasper put some scraps in the cat's food dish. "Come here, Mac! Look what I've got for you." The cat walked to the dish, sniffed the food, and walked away with his tail held high. Jasper shook his head. "That cat has no idea what's good," he muttered.

Karis was standing at the window, looking out. "Come see the baby birds in their nest! The mother bird brought food for them, and they all have their mouths wide open!"

Jasper went to look. "Well, they're way smarter than Mac. He wouldn't even taste the food I offered him."

"I guess he's not hungry," said Karis.

"Grandma always says he's just finicky--choosy about his food. I'm sure he'd like what I gave him if he'd try it, but he won't."

Mom walked up behind them. "That's probably why you were bored at church today while the rest of us got a lot out of it."

"I was bored because Mac won't eat?" asked Jasper. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that, like the baby birds, we were hungry--we had hungry hearts. They were open and eager to hear from Jesus as we listened to see what spiritual food He was offering through our pastor and Sunday school teachers. But like Mac, you wouldn't even try it. You expected to be bored, so you didn't even bother listening and thinking about what was being said." Mom placed a hand on Jasper's shoulder. "Next time, how about really listening? Think about the lessons and how they apply to your life. Ask God to give you a hungry heart with an appetite for spiritual food."

–Mary Rose Pearson

How About You?
When you read your Bible or go to church, is your heart open to learning what God wants to say to you? Or do you just count the minutes until it's over? Jesus wants to fill your heart with good spiritual food from His Word and remind you of His love and promises. But that can't happen if you close yourself off and refuse to listen. Trust Him to open your heart to His Word so He can nourish your soul.

Today's Key Verse:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. (NKJV) (Matthew 5:6)

Today's Key Thought:
Open your heart to God's Word

Bible Reading: Proverbs 25:20; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

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

Madelyn buried her face in her hands. "I wish I'd been nicer to him."

Callie's face was red from crying. "I'm mad that he died so young. It's not fair."

Mrs. Nelson sat down at the empty desk beside them. She wiped her eyes with a crumpled tissue. "Jason's car accident was a terrible tragedy. He will be missed."

Tommy plunked down in the seat next to Callie. "I wish everyone would stop crying already. Jason was a Christian, so he's in heaven now. Can we not talk about it anymore?"

"Tommy, it's okay for us to be sad right now," Mrs. Nelson said softly. "It's okay to be upset about losing a classmate."

"But there's nothing we can do about it. He's gone. Can't we just cheer up?"

"We could," said Mrs. Nelson. "But we should grieve with those whose hearts are hurting."

"Well, I don't want to." Tommy grabbed his book and walked to the reading corner.

Mrs. Nelson followed and sat in the bean bag chair next to Tommy. "Are you cold, Tommy?" she asked, pointing to the blanket draped over his legs.

"A little, I guess." He tucked the fleece blanket under his knees.

"How would you feel if I took the blanket away?" asked Mrs. Nelson.

Tommy glanced up sharply. "Why would you do that?"

"I wouldn't, Tommy. That would be mean. That blanket is giving you warmth and comfort, right?"

Tommy shrugged. "Yeah, I guess."

"Well, right now, we're all sad about Jason passing away. In Proverbs it says that trying to cheer up a sad person is like taking a blanket away from someone who's cold."

"I wouldn't do that to anyone," said Tommy.

"I know you wouldn't. But right now your classmates are hurting, and they need a blanket of comfort. That's one of the ways we show others the love of Jesus--by comforting and supporting them when they're sad and sharing their grief, even when we know the person they're grieving is in heaven."

Tommy thought for a moment, then loosened the blanket and laid it over Mrs. Nelson's knees. "I'm sorry you're sad right now."

Mrs. Nelson smiled. "Thanks, Tommy."

–Tannis Oliveri

How About You?
Do you know someone who is dealing with grief? Sometimes it makes us uncomfortable when people are sad and we want to cheer them up. But the best way to show them God's love is to be sad with them and help carry their load of grief. Jesus mourns with us when we're sad and comforts us. You don't have to have the right words, just be there and grieve with those who grieve.

Today's Key Verse:
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (NKJV) (Romans 12:15)

Today's Key Thought:
Grieve with those who grieve

Bible Reading: John 15:9-17; 1 John 1:1-3

"It seems like so many of the guys just want to play basketball all the time," complained Mason one afternoon. "Clayton and I always did stuff together, but now he spends more time with other kids than with me!" As Mom started to speak, Mason reached into his backpack and changed the subject. "I got an A on my math test!" he announced with a grin. "Since I did so well, can I have an extra half-hour of TV tonight? There's a quiz show that's fun to watch."

"All right," said Mom. "But first do your homework--and your Bible reading too. We all agreed to read and think about a few verses each day, remember?"

"Okay, Mom," said Mason as he hurried off.

Soon Mason returned to the family room and turned on the TV. "Is all your work done already?" asked Mom. "Bible reading too?"

Mason frowned. "Well, um…I'll read it later," he said.

Mom turned the TV off. "That wasn't the agreement."

"But, Mom, reading the Bible is…" Mason hesitated. "It's kinda boring."

Mom sat on the couch beside Mason. "Are you happy when Clayton goes off to play with other guys instead of spending time with you?" she asked.

"No," said Mason. "Of course not."

"Friends want to spend time together, doing things or just talking. We call that having fellowship with one another," Mom explained. "We should also have fellowship with Jesus. We should spend time with Him--talking with Him and listening to what He says to us."

"I guess so," Mason replied. "But won't Jesus know I'm sort of bored?"

Mom smiled. "If Jesus were standing here and wanted to tell you something, would you want to hear it?" Mason nodded. "Well, He has something to say to you, and He speaks through His Word," said Mom. "The Bible is His story, and reading it is one of the best ways to spend time with Jesus and learn more about Him. Try reading it with that in mind. You might discover it's not so boring after all." She glanced at the clock. "Let's look at our Bible verses together. Then I'll fix some popcorn for us to munch on while we watch the quiz show."

–Jennifer Dorsey

How About You?
Do you have time to watch TV, play video games, hang out with friends, and go online? What about Jesus--do you have time for Him? He says those who trust in Him are His friends--and friends spend time together. Tell Him about what's going on in your life, and listen to Him by reading His Word and thinking about what it says. Spend time with Him every day and enjoy fellowship with Him.

Today's Key Verse:
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (NIV) (1 John 1:3 )

Today's Key Thought:
Treat Jesus as a friend

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