Bible Reading: Hebrews 11:1-6

Little Iris climbed out of the pool and eagerly walked along the edge to where her father was standing waist-deep in the water. "Catch me again, Daddy!" she called.

Iris leaped toward her father almost before he could get his arms up to catch her. "Wheeee!" he exclaimed as he pulled her around in the water and then took her to the shallow end where she could touch bottom. Soon Iris was back up the steps and heading toward her jumping spot again.

"Iris sure does trust Dad to catch her," said her older sister, Olivia. "And I can't believe how many times he keeps doing it. You'd think he'd get tired of it, but he actually seems to enjoy it!"

Mom smiled. "You know what I think? I think this is a good picture of our faith in God. Your dad is happy that Iris trusts him enough to jump into his arms again and again. And because he caught her the first few times, she learned to trust him more and more. She jumped almost before he was ready the last time."

Olivia was confused. "How is that like us and God?"

"Well, first of all, we need to trust Jesus to forgive our sins and save us," replied Mom. "Then, as God works in our hearts, we also learn to trust Him for many other things in life--sometimes for specific things, like providing for our needs or help finding friends at a new school."

Olivia nodded. When they had moved the year before, those were things she'd often prayed about.

"After we trust God for something and find that He's faithful in keeping His promises, it's easier to trust Him the next time we have a problem," continued Mom. She smiled as Iris squealed and leaped toward her father's arms once again. "The more we exercise our faith, the more it grows. When Iris jumps into the pool, she doesn't think, 'Maybe Daddy will catch me.' She knows he will. Dad is pleased that Iris trusts him, and when we trust God like that, knowing that He loves us and will always take care of us, He is pleased too."

–Lyndel F. Walker

How About You?
Do you trust God? Do you trust Him in times of trouble as well as when things are going great? Even when things are hard and you don't know how they'll work out, you can trust God to take care of you and do what's best in any situation. He loves you so much that Jesus died for your sins to save you. You can trust Him to take care of any problem you have.

Today's Key Verse:
Without faith it is impossible to please God. (NIV) (Hebrews 11:6)

Today's Key Thought:
Trust God at all times

Bible Reading: Psalm 13; Matthew 27:45-46

"Leila, don't touch that," Grandma said softly.

Dylan watched as his grandma caught his baby sister's hand before she could reach the pan of cookies that had just come out of the oven. "Why?" Leila asked.

"Because you might get burned," Grandma said.

"Why?" Leila asked again.

Grandma smiled. "Because the pan is hot."

"Why?"

Dylan rolled his eyes. "This is what she does, Grandma. She goes on and on like that all day long."

"You did too, at her age." Grandma scooped Leila up and carried her to the living room.

Dylan noticed Grandma's phone on the counter and checked the screen. Still no update from Dad. He joined his grandma and sister in the living room, not wanting to be alone. "Grandma, why does God let Mom get sick over and over again?" he asked. "Dad just took her to the emergency room last week, and now they're there again."

Grandma squeezed his shoulder. "I know it's hard, Dylan. I'm worried too."

"But why is it happening, Grandma? And why can't they just figure out what's going on so we don't have to be scared?"

His grandma smiled. "You're starting to sound like Leila."

Dylan swallowed. "Sometimes I just don't know why God acts the way He does."

"It's okay to question God and wonder why He's working the way that He is," Grandma said. "In the Psalms, we read of others who did that. They knew that even though they might not get the exact answers they wanted, God would listen to their questions. Even Jesus, right before He died on the cross, asked God, 'Why?' He understands what it's like to go through hard things and not have all the answers."

"So God's not mad when I ask all of the why questions?"

"Not at all," Grandma said. "He's patient with you, like we try to be patient with your sister."

"I just want Mom to be healthy again," Dylan said. "More than wanting to know why, I want her to get better."

"I know," Grandma said. "We all want that. Remember that God cares about her more than anyone--He sent His own Son to die for her. Whatever happens, we can trust Him to listen and be with us."

–Emily Acker

How About You?
Do you ever wonder why God lets bad things happen? Have you tried asking Him why? Or are you worried He might get upset if you ask Him difficult questions? He loves you deeply, even when you struggle to believe He is good. He understands your feelings and welcomes your questions. Trust that He listens to you and cares for you.

Today's Key Verse:
I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! (NLT) (Psalm 116:1-2)

Today's Key Thought:
God listens to our difficult questions

Bible Reading: Matthew 4:4; John 6:35; Hebrews 10:15-16

"Okay, kids. Let's go," called Dad after Kiara's swim meet had ended. "We only have a half hour before Keagan's soccer game."

"Looks like we'll have to grab fast food again," Mom said as she closed her car door. She sighed. "It's not a very healthy choice."

"We learned about food groups in school," said Kiara. "Our bodies need something from every group so we get the right balance of vitamins and nutrients and have the energy we need to grow and be healthy."

"Well, I'm fine with the food groups of burgers and fries," said Keagan. "And ice cream too!"

Mom laughed. "I know you like those things, but we need to either figure out a way to eat healthier despite our busy schedule or make the schedule less busy."

"We just may have to do that," said Dad. "You know, a schedule that's too busy can also interfere with our spiritual diet. We often get a healthy dose of time with God on Sundays but settle for spiritual fast food the rest of the week--like a quick prayer before meals and only a nibble of a verse here and there."

"Those small prayers and short verses are still good, but often we need more," Mom explained. "Jesus died and rose again so that we could have a relationship with Him--when life is easy and when life is busy. He wants to spend time with you because He loves you."

Keagan furrowed his eyebrows. "But how can I do that during my soccer game?"

"I know!" Kiara exclaimed, bouncing in the seat of the car. "The Holy Spirit!"

"Exactly!" Dad said. "God gave all who believe in Jesus His Spirit to be with us all the time--even on the soccer field or in the swimming pool. The Holy Spirit reminds us of God's truth in the Bible and nourishes our faith--even when we're busy."

"But we still need time to rest and reflect too," said Mom. "That's why going to church, praying, and reading the Bible are important."

"Sounds like a healthy choice!" said Kiara.

"Yeah," said Keagan as Dad parked at a fast food place. "But I'm glad we're having dinner here!"

Mom smiled. "This will do for tonight, but it might be time to make some changes so we can have healthier bodies and healthier souls!"

–Lore Wolif

How About You?
What kind of spiritual food do you get? Do you only get a good meal once a week at church? Is prayer just something you squeeze into your day? Just like you need healthy food for your body, your spiritual diet is also important. So don't neglect spending time with Jesus, reading and listening to His Word at church and on your own. And when life gets busy, remember that His Spirit is always with you, reminding you of His truth and love.

Today's Key Verse:
The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. (CSB) (John 14:26)

Today's Key Thought:
Have a healthy spiritual diet

Bible Reading: Matthew 11:28-30

"Will all this fit in my backpack?" Autumn wondered as she packed for an overnight camping trip with Uncle Joel and Aunt Carrie.

Autumn stuffed her backpack full of clothes, games, books, and flashlights. "I can't forget my camera," she said, slipping it inside. After cramming a few bags of snacks on top, she closed the zipper.

An hour later, Uncle Joel and Autumn were climbing the steep trail to the campsite. Aunt Carrie had dropped them off and was driving the rest of the way. She didn't like hiking.

Autumn loved hiking! She enjoyed listening to the birds and feeling the warm summer breeze drift around her. But as the trail got steeper, she paid less attention to sights and sounds and began to wonder why she had stuffed her backpack so full.

She walked slower and slower and soon fell behind Uncle Joel. The backpack got heavier with each step.

Uncle Joel stopped. "Is something wrong?" he asked. "You're slowing down."

Autumn sighed. "I'm getting really tired."

Uncle Joel took Autumn's backpack off her shoulders. "Is that better?"

Autumn drew a deep breath of relief. "Yes. It was getting so heavy!"

Uncle Joel nodded. "That reminds me of a Bible verse. In the book of Matthew, Jesus says He will carry our burdens for us. He took our greatest burden of all by dying for our sins, and He can take burdens off your heart just like I took the backpack off your shoulders." Uncle Joel swung Autumn's backpack back and forth. "What do you have in this thing, anyway?"

Autumn shrugged. "Oh...just some stuff."

Uncle Joel grinned. "You probably didn't need all of it for an overnight camping trip. You know, we often carry around a lot of stuff in our spiritual lives too--stuff we don't need to carry, like worry about the future or guilt for sins we've already asked forgiveness for."

"And it gets heavy, like my backpack?" Autumn asked.

"Right," Uncle Joel said. He lifted the backpack. "You were relieved when this weight was gone. How would you feel if the burdens of your heart were gone?"

Autumn looked up. "A lot lighter," she said with a smile.

–Katlyn Traxler

How About You?
Are you worried or upset about something? Do you have a heavy backpack full of burdens on your heart? Sometimes we carry around troubles that God never meant for us to carry. Jesus died for you to take away your burden of sin and give you rest, and He wants to take the other things that weigh you down too. Give your burdens to Jesus, and He will carry them for you. If something is really weighing you down, talk to a trusted adult about it too.

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." (NLT) (Matthew 11:28)

Today's Key Thought:
Let Jesus carry your burdens

Bible Reading: Galatians 1:10; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 4:10-11

"I hope I'm good enough to play in an all-star game someday," said Ryder as he left the ballpark with his dad and sister. "Maybe I'll even make it into the Baseball Hall of Fame!"

"I'd rather sing the national anthem before the game," said Ann. "Famous singers have a lot more fans than baseball players do."

All the way home, the children debated whether singers or athletes were more popular and famous. "Why do you think it's so important to be famous?" asked Dad.

"So everybody will like you and talk about how good you are," said Ryder.

"And then no one would say, 'Ann who?' They'd all know my name!" added Ann.

When they arrived home, they found Mom in the backyard blowing bubbles for two-year-old Harper. They all laughed as they watched Harper's puzzled expression whenever she got a bubble in her hands--only to have it burst and disappear.

"Those bubbles remind me of the fame you kids were talking about," said Dad. "Bubbles have a shimmering beauty that's very captivating as they bounce about. But then, when you try to catch one in your palm, it bursts. Popularity and fame are like that--they don't last forever. But because we trust in Jesus, we're part of God's kingdom, and His kingdom is eternal, meaning it lasts forever and ever."

"But what about baseball players in the Hall of Fame?" Ryder asked. "They're remembered forever."

"They may be remembered for a long time, but they can't enjoy their fame after they've died," said Dad. "Wanting to be famous isn't necessarily wrong, but Jesus is the only one who can give us eternal joy and satisfaction. He conquered death on the cross so that we could be part of His eternal kingdom, and one day, when He returns, the whole world will see His power and glory and bow before Him. Whether you become famous or not, He knows who you are, and His love for you is enough. Use the talents He's given you for His glory, not your own."

"You're right, Dad," Ryder said. "I may not ever be in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but I know I'll be with Jesus forever!"

Ann nodded. "And I'd rather sing for Jesus than on a stage in front of a thousand fans."

–Phyllis I. Klomparens

How About You?
Do you want to be famous someday? Do you want to be remembered for doing great things? The love and attention of other people can be exciting, but fame doesn't last forever. There's only one person whose glory will last for all eternity--Jesus. His kingdom is eternal, and His love for you will never end. Whether you ever become famous or not, you can use the gifts He's given you to point others to His glory and the joy of knowing Him.

Today's Key Verse:
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. (NKJV) (Psalm 145:13)

Today's Key Thought:
God's kingdom lasts forever