Bible Reading: Matthew 11:28-30

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

Jade kicked pebbles out of her path as she walked home from school, wondering what she should do. I'm going to tell Mom, she finally decided.

When she got home, Jade approached her mother. "Mom, I…I have to tell you something."

"Okay, honey," said Mom. "Is something wrong?"

"Well--it's Erin." Once Jade got started the words just tumbled out. "Ever since her uncle moved in with her and her parents, she's been acting strange. She used to be really bubbly and outgoing, but now she hardly talks to anyone. And she doesn't seem to ever want to go home after school--I've seen her doing homework at the park some days. I think it might be because she doesn't want to be alone with her uncle before her parents get home from work." Jade stopped and took a big gulp of air. "I…I think he might be doing bad stuff to her when he gets her alone." Tears welled up in Jade's eyes. "I don't know for sure--she hasn't said anything--but I've noticed some bruises on her arms, and she never has a good answer for how she got them."

Mom looked very serious. "You were right to tell me," she said, putting an arm around Jade. "I'll go make some phone calls--if her uncle is doing something to her, he needs to be stopped."

"But what if Erin is afraid to tell anyone because her parents will think it's her fault?" Jade asked tearfully. "I don't want to get her in trouble."

"If Erin's parents find out her uncle has been hurting her, I'm sure they'll be very sad and angry--but not angry with her," said Mom. "Her uncle would be the one responsible--it's not Erin's fault at all." Mom gave Jade a hug. "Erin must feel like she's carrying a heavy burden. But with God's help and good friends like you supporting her, I know she can work through the difficulties that may still be ahead because of what happened. Jesus loves her so much, and He wants to take that heavy burden from her. He's put you and her parents and others in her life to love her and help her so she won't need to carry that burden alone anymore. Let's pray that Erin will look to Jesus for the love and help she needs too."

–Marie Shropshire

How About You?
Has something bad happened that you need to discuss with someone? Do you feel guilty or upset about what happened? Don't keep it to yourself. Talk about it with a parent, a teacher, or another adult you trust so they can help. Talk to Jesus about it too. He loves you so much that He took the burden of your sin on the cross, and He can handle any other burden you're carrying. Give your burden to Him, and trust Him to provide help through those who care for you.

Today's Key Verse:
Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

Today's Key Thought:
Share problems with God and an adult

Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 22:3-4; Psalm 3:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-15

"I don't want to go in there," Natalie said outside the door to one of the rooms in the aquarium. "It's full of sharks."

"Oh, come on, Nat," said Hunter. "The sharks are behind glass."

"It's perfectly safe," Dad assured her. "Hunter is right. Those walls shield you from the sharks. There's no way they can get out."

Despite Dad's words, Natalie clutched Mom's hand as they walked in. On either side of the aisle, glass walls rose from floor to ceiling, and beyond the glass was a magnificent reproduction of life beneath the sea. Natalie felt like she had sunk to the floor of the ocean. Hundreds of glittering fish swam about, taking no notice of her.

"Look!" she exclaimed. "There's a giant sea turtle!" Natalie stepped forward and watched with her face close to the glass as the turtle swam away. Then a dark shape emerged from the dim shadow at the side of the tank. It grew larger and larger as it swam toward her. "A shark!" screamed Natalie. She darted back as the creature glided by right in front of her eyes. She knew there was really nothing to be afraid of, but she was glad when they left the area.

That evening there was a lot of excited chatter at dinner. "I still don't like those sharks," said Natalie. "They'd probably like to sink their teeth into us!"

Hunter shook his head. "Shark attacks are rare because humans don't taste good to sharks. Attacks only happen when sharks mix us up with their normal food."

"Well, I still felt better having that thick glass for protection," said Natalie.

"You know, God is like that thick glass," said Dad. "The Bible says He is our shield. When we face attacks from Satan or from others who want to harm us, God is our protection."

Mom nodded. "Because Jesus saved us, we are always safe in His hands, even when bad things happen. He is always with us and helps us stand firm against Satan's lies. Didn't you feel safer with the sharks at the aquarium knowing there was a thick shield of glass?"

"Yeah," said Natalie. "That means I can be more confident in other scary situations knowing that God is with me as my shield!"

–Ellen C. Orr

How About You?
Did you know that God is a shield for His children? Even though scary things happen in life, Jesus promises to be with us and give us peace, even in the worst situations. When Satan tells you lies or others try to hurt you, go to God for protection. He loves you and is watching over you, and He puts loving Christians in your life who can help you and remind you of His truth when you're under attack.

Today's Key Verse:
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. (NLT) (Psalm 28:7)

Today's Key Thought:
God is our shield

Bible Reading: Romans 15:1-7; Galatians 6:2

"What happened to Ezra?" Laura asked as she worked with her brother in the garden. "Why doesn't he come over anymore?"

"I don't know," said Orson. He settled back on his heels. "Ezra changed a lot when his parents got divorced. He started hanging with another group of kids, so I don't see him that much anymore."

"But you still see him at church, right?" asked Laura.

"Not really," said Orson. "He hasn't come in a long time." He sighed and started pulling weeds again. "Whatever. I'm not going to go out of my way to be friends with him if he's not interested."

"Watch what you're doing!" Laura exclaimed. "That's one of Mom's lavender plants you're trying to pull up."

"But it's dead," said Orson. "And stuck too. I can't get it out."

Laura knelt beside him. "Look. It's not really dead. There's a little green on it down here." She pointed to a little sprout. "And it's stuck because lavender plants put their roots down deep."

"Well, if it isn't dead, then why does it look like this?" said Orson.

Laura shrugged. "It had a hard winter, I guess. We'll just have to take special care of it now." She grinned. "Mom would say it needs TLC--tender, loving care."

Orson sat and stared at the plant until Laura finally nudged him. "Hey, get back to work!"

Orson wiped his forehead. "I was just thinking--maybe Ezra needs TLC too. He's had a rough time lately, so maybe I should be taking special care of him."

"I think you're right," said Laura. "It sounds like he needs a friend to stick with him through everything he's going through." She yanked a weed out of the ground. "One of the ways God shows His love to us is through our friends, remember? Pastor Jennings talked about that. He said Jesus is the most faithful friend of all, and since we know Him and have His Spirit in us, we can be faithful friends too."

"Yeah," said Orson. "I'll tell Ezra I miss seeing him around. Maybe I'll see if he wants to come over after school tomorrow." He repacked dirt around the base of the lavender plant, taking care to be mindful of the little green sprout. "And I'll pray for him too."

–Barbara J. Westberg

How About You?
Do you have a friend who's going through a tough situation? Are you unsure how to respond or wondering if they still want to be friends? Don't give up on them--let them know you'll be there for them no matter what. Your faithful friendship can remind them how much Jesus loves them and that He understands their pain. Pray for your friend, and trust God to help you show them His tender, loving care.

Today's Key Verse:
Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. (NLT) (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Today's Key Thought:
Show TLC to others

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:1-4; 1 Peter 1:13-16

Alvaro angrily stomped into the room. Papá looked up from his computer.

"Tell Miguel to quit copying me!" said Alvaro, crossing his arms over his chest. "He's always following me around, and he tries to do everything I do." As Papá closed his laptop, Miguel rushed into the living room. He marched over to his brother and promptly crossed his arms too. "See what I mean?" said Alvaro as Miguel stared up at him.

"Miguel," said Papá, "give Alvaro a bit of space." Then Papá looked at Alvaro. "Miguel copies you because he wants to be like you."

Alvaro frowned. "I don't like copycats."

"You don't? Well, the Bible says we should all be copycats." Papá picked up his Bible from the coffee table and opened it. "Here," he said. "Read Ephesians 5:1 out loud for us."

Alvaro took the Bible and looked at the verse Papá indicated. "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children," he read.

"What do imitators do?" Papá asked. Alvaro shrugged. Miguel shrugged too. "They copy," said Papá. "We're supposed to copy God." Papá smiled at the boys. "Miguel loves you, Alvaro, and he shows it by wanting to do the same things you do. That's the same way we show our love for God. Jesus lived a perfect life of love and sacrifice when He came to earth to die for our sins. We can't copy Him perfectly, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, who is helping us grow to be more like Him, we can imitate Jesus by showing others His love in our actions and attitudes."

Alvaro scratched his head. Giggling, Miguel did the same. Then Alvaro gave his brother a quick, playful punch on the shoulder. Miguel punched back. He squealed as Alvaro tackled him, and together they fell to the floor, laughing.

Papá laughed too. "Okay, you two. Miguel, no more copying Alvaro right now. Leave him alone for a while. And let's all remember to be imitators of God by trusting Him to help us copy Jesus."

"Okay," Miguel said.

"Okay," Alvaro said with a mischievous grin.

"Okay!" Papá chimed in, and they all laughed."

–Carol A. deCesare

How About You?
Do you get frustrated when others copy you? Do younger kids try to act like you by repeating what you say or imitating what you do? Often they do this because they look up to you. As God's children, we need to copy Him. He showed us His love by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Through the Holy Spirit, He will help us show that same kind of love to others so we can imitate Him.

Today's Key Verse:
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. (NKJV) (Ephesians 5:1)

Today's Key Thought:
Be an imitator of God

Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-4; Revelation 21:1-4

Jill sat on the bench in her backyard and kicked at the dead leaves around her feet. This was one of the worst days of her life. She'd just found out that Aunt Karen had died from cancer.

Jill slumped against the back of the bench and thought about how Aunt Karen would often go shopping and out to lunch with Jill and her mom on Saturdays before she got sick. They called it their ladies' day out. A tear ran down Jill's cheek as she realized that now they would never have another adventure with the three of them again.

Just then Mom came out of the house and sat down on the bench. She took Jill in her arms and they both sat there and cried. After a while Jill sat up and wiped her eyes. "Mom, will my heart always hurt this bad? Will it ever get better?"

Mom wiped her own eyes and cleared her throat. "We both loved Aunt Karen and will miss her very much. The Bible says there's a time and a season for everything, and right now it's our time to mourn." She took a deep breath. "At least we can be glad knowing she's no longer suffering and that one day we'll see her again."

"I'm having a hard time feeling glad about anything right now," said Jill. "It feels like I'll be mourning forever." She began kicking at the dead leaves on the ground again.

Mom looked up to the trees above them. "Jill, look at all the trees losing their leaves! Do you think they'll ever get them back?"

Jill gave her mom a funny look. "Of course they will, Mom. The trees will grow new leaves in the spring. You know that."

"Yes," said Mom. "The trees lose their leaves because they go through seasons--and we go through seasons in our lives. Some are good and others difficult, but Jesus is always there with us through all of them. We can trust Him to carry us through this season of mourning, knowing it won't last forever. Seasons change, and one day, when we finally see Jesus face-to-face, all our troubles and sadness will be gone for good." Mom put her arm around Jill. "Trust that God will never leave you or forget you, no matter what season you're in."

–Melissa Yeagle

How About You?
Are you going through a hard time right now? Does it feel like it will never end? Everyone goes through different seasons of life, and sometimes they are filled with hardship or sadness. But no matter what season you're in, Jesus is with you, and He cares about you. Trust Him to help you through the hard seasons of life, looking forward to the day when He makes all things new and your troubles will be over.

Today's Key Verse:
[God] himself has said, "I will never leave you or abandon you." (CSB) (Hebrews 13:5)

Today's Key Thought:
Trust God in hard times