Bible Reading: Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 1:9-12; 3:23-24

Ian frowned as he crumpled up another piece of paper and threw it in the recycling bin. "I'm supposed to write about a couple of jobs I might like to do when I grow up," he said. "I thought about being a professional baseball player--or maybe a photographer like Dad. But the chances of me playing pro baseball aren't very good, and I don't really want to be a photographer--no offense to Dad or anything."

"Well, I know Dad doesn't expect you to do what he does," Mom assured him. "God has given you talents of your own to use for Him."

"Maybe I should want to be a pastor or a missionary," said Ian. "God would probably want me to do something like that, wouldn't He?"

Motioning for Ian to follow, Mom got up and walked to the kitchen window. She pointed to a tree in the backyard. "What kind of fruit does that tree out there produce?" she asked.

Ian looked at his mother suspiciously. "Apples, of course. It's an apple tree, Mom."

Mom nodded. "Yes, and apple trees produce apples, not some other kind of fruit--and they don't struggle to do it. They automatically produce apples because that's what God made them to do. That applies to you too."

"Yeah? But I'm not an apple tree," said Ian with a grin.

Mom smiled. "No, you're not, so God doesn't expect you to produce apples--and He doesn't expect you to act like somebody you're not either. Whatever you end up doing for a career--working as a lawyer, farmer, missionary, businessman, factory worker, pastor, or whatever--you can share the love of God with others through what you do. He wants Christians serving Him in every field of work. The Holy Spirit is already doing His own work in your life so that you will produce spiritual fruit that points people to Jesus in everything you do, both now and when you grow up."

"Well, that makes me feel better," said Ian. "But I still don't know what to write for my paper."

"Think about things you like to do and things you do well," suggested Mom. "Those are pretty good clues to help you begin to understand what God may lead you to do for Him someday."

–Miriam K. Nowak

How About You?
What are you good at? What do you like to do? Your interests may change over time, but keep praying about these things, and keep working at the things you enjoy doing. Be willing to let God use you and the abilities He's given you in any way He sees fit. Trust Him to help you share His love and point people to Jesus in whatever you do, both now and in the future.

Today's Key Verse:
Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (NKJV) (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Today's Key Thought:
Use your talents for God

Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11

"It's raining! It's pouring!" sang six-year-old Callie as she ran into Amber's room. "I love rain," she said. "It makes puddles to play in."

"Yeah, and it cancels picnics," Amber snapped,

"Are you going on a picnic?" asked Callie.

"I'm not going anywhere," grumbled Amber. "I told you. My picnic was canceled." She sighed. "And that's not all! I was supposed to go to an amusement park tomorrow with Morgan and her family, but Morgan's sick, so those plans got canceled too!"

"Well, if it storms, maybe the lights will go out, and we can use candles," said Callie. "That's always fun!"

"I hate storms!" Amber shook her head. "You're a strange kid. You love storms and rain and snow and cold weather--and hot weather too."

Mom laughed as she came into the room. "To Callie, there's no such thing as bad weather--only different kinds of weather."

"Do you know all the seasons, Amber?" asked Callie. She counted on her fingers. "There's spring and fall and winter and--"

"Summer," Amber cut in. "I know them too, Callie."

Callie threw her arms open wide. "And I love them all!"

"I'm glad you do," said Mom. "There are different seasons of the year, and there are different seasons in life too. There's childhood and adolescence. Then, before we know it, we're adults, and then maybe parents and even grandparents."

"Yeah, well, the teen years are the worst!" Amber exclaimed.

"Every season has its blessings as well as its problems, Amber," Mom said. "It's true that there are stormy times in teen years, but people of every age experience both storms and sunshine."

"Is it going to storm hard?" asked Callie. "I'll get the candles out." Amber gave a half-smile as Callie ran from the room.

"Even storms have a purpose," continued Mom. "For example, lightning puts nitrogen into the atmosphere to help plants grow. And life's storms can help us grow in our faith in Jesus. He loves us, died for us, and is always with us, and He'll help us through any kind of weather we face in life. That's something we can be thankful for every day, no matter what season of life we're in."

–Barbara J. Westberg

How About You?
Are you going through some stormy times in your life? Make a list of things that are happening to you. Have any of them helped you experience Jesus's love and care in a new way? Is there anything you think God might be trying to teach you in what you're going through right now? No matter what season you're in, thank Him for each day and remember that He's always with you, in good weather and bad.

Today's Key Verse:
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (NKJV) (Psalm 118:24)

Today's Key Thought:
Trust God in every season of life

Bible Reading: Psalm 95:1-2; John 19:28-30; Ephesians 2:8-9

"I'm going to Mr. Harvey's shop to pick up the bookcase I made for Dad," Wesley told his little brother. "Want to come along? We'll take the wagon, and you can help pull it."

Zion clapped his hands. "Yay! You'll tell Dad the present is from me too, won't you? Because I'm helping?" Wesley smiled and agreed.

At Mr. Harvey's shop, Wesley showed Zion the bookcase. Then he walked to a back corner of the shop where Mr. Harvey was working. "Thanks for showing me how to make the bookcase for my dad," said Wesley. "Here's the money I owe for the supplies I used."

Mr. Harvey took the money, and they both turned toward the bookcase. Wesley gasped. Zion was standing next to it with a raised hammer. "What are you doing, Zion?" yelled Wesley.

"I'm helping make Dad's bookcase," Zion replied. He gave it a whack just before Wesley was able to grab the hammer from his hand. "You said I could help, Wesley!"

"I know, Zion," said Wesley. "But you can't help make it, because it's already totally finished!" He was relieved to see that Zion had made only a very small dent on the back of the bookcase and it wouldn't show. "You can help me pull it home, and you can help give it to Dad, okay?"

Mr. Harvey smiled. "Wesley, while you were working on the bookcase, we talked several times about how we can get to heaven. Do you remember what you told me?"

"Sure. Like I said, I try hard to be good," said Wesley. "I obey my parents. I go to church. I'm pretty sure I'll make it to heaven."

"But, Wesley," said Mr. Harvey, "just like Zion tried to help with your finished gift of a bookcase, you're trying to help God with His finished gift of salvation and eternal life. When Jesus died on the cross, He said, 'It is finished.' All of our sinful mistakes--past, present, and future--were paid for by Jesus's sacrifice for us. There's nothing you can do to help. You just need to trust that He's already done everything for you and accept His forgiveness. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Wesley slowly ran his fingers over the top of the bookcase. "Yeah," he said. "I think I do."

–Mary Rose Pearson

How About You?
Do you think you need to do good things to get to heaven? That's not possible. There's nothing you can do to earn your salvation. Jesus has totally finished all the necessary work for you to be forgiven for your wrongs and receive eternal life. You must simply accept what He has done--there's no work left for you to do! Trust in Jesus today. (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:
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (NLT) (Ephesians 2:8)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus alone saves from sin

Bible Reading: Psalms 17:6-7; 18:1-2; Matthew 19:14

Twelve-year-old Scarlett was so excited about helping her mom in the twos' and threes' Sunday school class. Eagerly standing by the classroom door, Scarlett watched for the little ones to come.

Most of the children came in with smiles on their faces. However, not all of them had such an easy time. Missing her mom, little Maaza cried and cried long after her mother had gone into church, staying stiff as a log in Scarlett's arms. After a while, Scarlett gently put the little girl down and offered her a toy. Now only sniffling, Maaza angrily turned away and refused to play for most of Sunday school.

A little later, Myles, a toddler Scarlett often played with, arrived. He cried and cried, but instead of going stiff in Scarlett's arms, he wrapped his arms around her neck as she rocked him back and forth. After a few minutes, he was ready to play with his favorite toy truck, and soon after that he began to play with the other children.

"So, are you enjoying working in children's church?" Scarlett's mom asked her later that afternoon.

"Yes, I like it a lot," Scarlett said. "The kids are so cute! I love playing with them and telling them about Jesus during Bible time."

Mom smiled. "You know, as much as God uses us to teach children about Him, I'm amazed at how much they teach me about my relationship with God. Often I'm like how Maaza was today. When I'm sad, afraid, or confused, I turn away from God, much like how she hurried away from you. I forget that God shows His love for us by comforting us in our distress. Jesus saved us from our sins so that He could be with us every moment of every day. The Bible uses words like 'shelter' and 'stronghold' and 'refuge' to say that God cares for us and promises to be a safe place for us."

"That means we should be more like Myles, shouldn't we?" asked Scarlett.

Mom nodded. "He knew he could trust us as his teachers, and he clung to you and cried when he was scared about coming to Sunday school. Then he was able to enjoy all we had planned for him. If we trust God and come to Him when we're sad or afraid, we can experience the peace He promises."

–Aurora Scriver

How About You?
Do you ever have trouble trusting God when you feel sad or upset? Do you run away from Him when things get difficult or scary? Remember that God is faithful and promises to be with you through every difficulty you face. He wants to comfort you so you can experience His peace, rest, and joy. Go to Him when you feel sad or afraid, and He will be your safe place.

Today's Key Verse:
How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. (NLT) (Psalm 36:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Let God comfort you

Bible Reading: Matthew 20:30-34; James 5:13-18

"God bless everyone. Amen." Grace ended the brief prayer in her usual way. When she opened her eyes, she saw a slight frown on her mother's face. "What do you mean when you say 'God bless everyone'? Exactly who is everyone?" asked Mom.

"Well," said Grace, "I mean Grandma, Micah, my friends, the missionaries, the homeless--everyone."

"What do you want God to do for them?" asked Mom.

"Bless them," answered Grace. "You know--Grandma needs help with her eyes, and Micah's having trouble sleeping. Those kinds of things." She glanced at the clock. "I'd better hurry or I'll miss my bus!"

After school, Grace and Mom went shopping. When a clerk asked if they needed help, Mom nodded. "My daughter needs…" She paused. "Some clothes."

"Jeans?" asked the clerk. "Tops? Or a coat?"

Mom shrugged. "Just something to wear."

Grace stared at her mom. "I need jeans and a couple of tops too," Grace told the clerk. Soon she was busy trying things on in the fitting room.

"That was so embarrassing, Mom!" Grace said after they left the store. "Why didn't you tell the clerk what I needed? She must think we're weird!"

"It was just easier not to go into detail," Mom answered. Grace gave her mom a puzzled look, and Mom smiled at her. "When the clerk spoke to us, your quick 'God bless everyone' prayer came to my mind. I thought maybe my answer would show you that it's important to communicate clearly--both to people and to God."

"But God already knows what I'm thinking," Grace contended.

"That's true," Mom said. "But He wants you to talk to Him and express your thoughts and feelings. Jesus gave His life for us so we could be in a close, loving relationship with Him. He wants to hear about your worries and troubles so that He can give you peace and let you know He cares. Besides, when you make specific requests, it helps you pay attention to how God answers. Then you can thank Him for specific things."

Grace nodded her head thoughtfully. "I'm glad God cares about me and everyone else and listens to us when we pray. Maybe tonight I'll write some specific prayers down and keep track of how God responds!"

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
When you pray, are you specific about your needs and requests? Or do you hurry through and not bother with details? Even though God knows what you need before you ask, He cares about you and wants you to talk with Him. Take time to communicate with God and share your specific concerns with Him. When He answers your prayers, you'll be encouraged and have even more reasons to praise and thank Him!

Today's Key Verse:
Pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (NLT) (Philippians 4:6)

Today's Key Thought:
Pray with specific requests