Bible Reading: Ezekiel 36:26; Matthew 5:43-48; 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Abby slid her lunch tray next to her best friend Everly. "Can you believe these cookies?" she complained, tapping a hard chocolate chip cookie against her front tooth. "A squirrel couldn't eat these!"

Everly shrugged. "They're not so bad if you soak them first." She dunked her cookie in a glass of milk and took a bite. "See?"

"Oh yeah!" Abby said. "You're always full of good ideas."

"I wish." Everly's expression soured. "Maybe then I'd know how to get Kenzie to quit pestering me. She's such a bully."

Abby glanced across the cafeteria to where Kenzie sat alone. She'd started teasing Abby and her friends after learning they all went to the same church camp each summer. She called them dumb and stuck-up and claimed she'd never be caught dead in church, much less a summer camp for babies.

"Maybe we should invite her to eat with us," Abby suggested with a nervous nibble of her cookie. She knew it was the right thing to do even though she didn't like Kenzie very much, and the idea of eating lunch with her tied her stomach in knots. "Maybe then she'd get to know us better and we could tell her more about what we believe."

"Yeah, I guess," Everly said. "She's asked me questions about my faith before, but I got the feeling she was just trying to pick a fight with me."

As Abby thought it over, she had an idea. "Hey, what if Kenzie is like this cookie?"

Everly wrinkled her nose. "You want to dunk her in milk? I could go along with that."

Abby laughed. "No, I mean, what if Kenzie needs some softening too? Remember how I talked bad about God and the Bible before I knew Jesus loved me?" Everly tightened her lips, recalling some of the things Abby had said. "God had to change my heart," Abby continued. "Let's pray and ask God to soften Kenzie's heart and help us be kind to her."

Everly considered her friend. "Okay, let's pray and then go ask Kenzie if she wants to join us for lunch." She dunked her cookie in her milk. "And can we pray for better cookies too?"

Abby laughed and nodded. "Softer cookies and softer hearts."

–Christa Hogan

How About You?
Have you met anyone whose heart seemed hardened toward God? It's easy to forget that we all had hard hearts before we experienced Jesus's love and He changed us. God can soften any heart, and He can help you love those who tease you or are mean to you because of your faith. Pray for those who don't know Jesus, and trust Him to help you show them His love.

Today's Key Verse:
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (NIV) (Matthew 5:44)

Today's Key Thought:
God softens hearts

Bible Reading: Psalm 113:4-6; John 1:1-3, 14; Philippians 2:5-8

"Okay, everybody, squat down so you can see," said the forest ranger to the students. Davis and his friend Hudson moved closer to see what the ranger was pointing to. The ranger picked up a piece of bark lying in the dirt, and a bunch of little bugs scrambled to hide. The ranger grabbed one of them, and it rolled up into a tiny ball in his hand.

"This is a pill bug," the ranger said, rolling it around in his hand. "When it gets scared, it rolls into a perfect ball, like an armadillo." He passed the bug around the group. "It's also called a roly poly bug, but it's not really a bug at all. It's a crustacean, like lobsters and crabs and crayfish. It lives in wet places and uses gills to breathe."

"That's so cool," Davis said as he held the bug in his palm.

Hudson turned to the ranger. "How do you know all this?"

"Well, it takes years of studying!" said the ranger with a laugh. He bent down to look under another piece of wood. "You have to look at them closely." He picked up another bug. "They're very small, and they like to hide. You have to get down to their level to interact with them." He put the bug down, and it scurried away.

"Fast little guy," remarked a teacher standing nearby.

"Well, it does have seven pairs of legs!" said the ranger. He directed the students to turn up some logs on their own.

"Wow, that ranger sure knows a lot about bugs!" Hudson said to Davis as they lifted a log to reveal several bugs and critters scuttling in the mud.

"Yeah," said Davis. "It reminds me of something we talked about in church last week."

"You talked about bugs in church?" asked Hudson in surprise.

Davis laughed. "No, about God. Jesus came down from heaven to be on our level. He became one of us so He could save us from sin and give us eternal life. Even though He's so huge and mighty, He cares about us and understands everything we go through."

Hudson smiled thoughtfully as he bent down to take a closer look at the bugs they had found.

–Jonathan Baker

How About You?
How small or unimportant do you think you seem to God? Probably a lot smaller than a bug seems to us. But God knows everything about you and cares about what's happening in your life. He loves us all so much that Jesus left His high throne in heaven to be with us on earth and save us from our sins. Rest in the fact that God sees you, loves you, and cares about every teeny detail in your life.

Today's Key Verse:
The Word [Jesus] became human and made his home among us. (NLT) (John 1:14)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus came down to our level

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