Bible Reading: Psalm 103:8-14

Nevaeh was almost finished helping Mrs. Burns with her housework. "I need to get to the bank before it closes," Mrs. Burns told her. "Do you think you could finish and lock up when you leave?"

"Sure," said Nevaeh. "No problem." So Mrs. Burns said goodbye and left.

Nevaeh hummed as she dusted, but suddenly--CRASH! She stared in dismay at the pieces of blue glass on the floor. She had accidentally knocked a vase off a table. Oh no! thought Nevaeh as her eyes filled with tears. What will Mrs. Burns think when she gets back? She sighed as she picked up the pieces of broken glass. Before leaving, she wrote a note, telling Mrs. Burns about the broken vase and saying she would pay for a new one.

"You did the right thing," Mom said when she heard what had happened.

That evening, Mrs. Burns called. "Thanks for leaving the note," she said, "but don't worry about paying for the vase. I'll never miss it!" Nevaeh felt much better, but she still wasn't looking forward to seeing Mrs. Burns at church on Sunday.

Sunday arrived, and Nevaeh nervously approached Mrs. Burns. "You're sure I don't owe you anything?" asked Nevaeh. "For the vase I broke?"

"The vase? Oh, right--the vase." Mrs. Burns shook her head and smiled. "I had forgotten about it. You should forget it too." She patted Nevaeh's arm. "Can you come and help me on Friday? I'm having guests next weekend and could use some help."

Back home, Nevaeh told Mom what Mrs. Burns had said. "It took her a minute to realize what I was talking about," said Nevaeh. "I think she really had forgotten all about it. And she wants me to work for her again on Friday!"

Mom smiled. "The vase may have been valuable--who knows? But Mrs. Burns forgave you for breaking it, and perhaps she made a decision not to remember. So she forgot about it. That's a good example of the way God forgives us for our sin. Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for the wrong things we've done, and when we confess our sin to Him, He forgives it and will never bring it up again! We can accept His forgiveness and go on serving Him."

–Karen R. Locklear

How About You?
Do you continue to feel bad about something you did wrong--even after you've confessed it to God and asked Him to forgive you? The Bible says He'll remove your sin and not think of it again. Instead of going over and over what you did wrong, you can have peace knowing God has forgiven you. Accept His forgiveness and thank Him for it. He truly is a wonderful God!

Today's Key Verse:
Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. (NKJV) (Hebrews 8:12)

Today's Key Thought:
God forgives sin

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 4:10-11

Mario flopped down on his bed. Why had Mom enrolled him in a basketball league? He knew nothing about sports. Mom said it was for exercise and to learn teamwork and make friends. Mario feared that when the other boys found out he had no experience playing basketball, they wouldn't want him on the team.

He gazed up at his bedroom ceiling covered with stick-on constellations. He'd rather be in a club that studied the planets, stars, moon, and sun--things he loved. He heaved a long and loud sigh.

"What's that all about?" Grandpa stood in his doorway.

"Nothing." Grandpa wouldn't understand. He'd played college basketball.

"Would looking at the real constellations help? It's a clear night," Grandpa said.

Mario doubted looking at the stars would make him feel better, but he couldn't say no. When he and his mom moved in with Grandpa after his parents divorced, Grandpa positioned a telescope in the walk-in attic window for him.

Once behind the telescope lens, to Mario's surprise, his mood brightened. "There's Orion."

Grandpa bent down and squinted into the lens. "Awesome. I'm glad you taught me to appreciate the constellations." He moved the telescope. "The Milky Way is bright tonight."

Mario smiled. He had an idea. "Grandpa, would you help me appreciate basketball?"

Confused, Grandpa scrunched his face.

"Mom enrolled me in a basketball league to learn teamwork and make friends. I thought maybe if you practiced with me, I'd fit in better."

"Sure, I'll practice with you." Grandpa tussled Mario's hair then peered through the telescope. "Isn't it nice how God made both the moon and the stars unique and beautiful? They both give off light, but in a different way. Just like people." Grandpa looked at Mario. "God made us all different. We are each one of a kind with interests and talents specific to us. When you feel out of place, remember that God created you and loves you, Mario. He sent Jesus to die for you so you could be His child, and He gave you the gifts you have so you could share His love and goodness with others."

Mario thought a minute. "Maybe while I'm learning basketball, I can get others interested in the amazing constellations He created."

–Rose Ross Zediker

How About You?
Are your interests different from those of everyone you know? Do you worry about fitting in at school, church, or even in your family? It's normal to sometimes feel this way. When you do, remember God created you special and unique. He knew His world needed you and your talents! He loves you and gave you the gifts and interests you have so you could share His love with others.

Today's Key Verse:
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (NIV) (Psalm 139:14)

Today's Key Thought:
You are God's unique creation

Bible Reading: Psalm 23:1-2; John 10:7-15

Nikita was visiting her cousins in England, and today her cousin Alexia was taking her out to see the sheep.

"You'll love the lambs, but their mums can be very protective, so you'll have to watch out," Alexia said as they walked along. "We're almost there--you can see Dad's hat, and there's Lawrence."

Uncle Matthias and Alexia's older brother came up to greet the girls. "Have you come to see the lambs, then?" Uncle Matthias asked, smiling.

"Yes!" Nikita beamed.

Lawrence pointed at the lambs frolicking and leaping along the edges of the stone walls. "Well, they're all over there, but I can catch one for you if you'd like to pet one."

"Yes, please!" Nikita bounced on her toes while she waited. As Lawrence held the lamb, Nikita stroked it and asked, "Why do you have to be out here to watch them? Can't Nessie and Wilder take care of them?" She nodded at the border collies roaming the pasture.

"Wilder and Nessie are smart dogs, but sheep sometimes get into bigger trouble than the dogs can handle." Uncle Matthias went to an upside-down ewe who was feebly waving her legs in the air and bleating. "She's a bit heavy for even Wilder here to roll upright," he continued as Wilder tugged at his coat, "so I have to go pop her onto her feet again." He righted the sheep.

"They aren't very bright, are they?" Nikita looked at the lamb. "Even if they do have cute babies."

"No, they aren't exactly the cleverest creatures, so they need a wise shepherd to tend them. But did you know that the Bible compares us to sheep, and God is the shepherd?" Uncle Matthias leaned on his staff. "Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep. These sheep can't save themselves from predators, just like we can't save ourselves from sin, evil, and death. But the Good Shepherd, who knows just how to take care of us, can save us, and we can trust and follow Him. He will always provide for us."

"You must be a very wise shepherd, but think how wise God is to take care of us!" Nikita said as she hugged the lamb.

–Ellie Shirk

How About You?
Have you ever watched a shepherd at work? It's not very likely you have, but you probably do know that sheep are pretty helpless and need a good shepherd. Though it's not very flattering, the Bible compares us to sheep, and Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd. He gave His life by dying on the cross to save us, and He knows the best way to take care of us. Trust Him to care for you.

Today's Key Verse:
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. (NKJV) (John 10:11)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus is the Good Shepherd

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:6

"There must be a thousand fireflies out tonight!" Juan exclaimed.

Dad had turned off the yard light. The blinking green and orange light from the insects became easier to see. Juan unscrewed the lid from a clean plastic peanut butter container that his dad had poked with a screwdriver to make air holes.

He ran to the center of the yard and stood still. Twinkling fireflies fluttered around him. He scooped the container through the air and covered the open end with the lid. Lifting it eye level, he watched for a minute then saw a small blink of green inside the container. Juan smiled and repeated the process, sometimes chasing after the flying bugs.

"It's time to come in," Dad called from the door.

Juan hurried over to him and held out the container. "I caught four green and three orange." The bugs' lights flickered through the clear plastic. "There is no better light than fireflies," Juan declared.

Dad switched on the yard light then opened the door and sat down on the cement step. Juan sat beside him carefully holding his container. "Fireflies are an amazing wonder of nature, but there is a better light than fireflies. Do you know what that is?" Dad asked.

Juan thought for a moment. "Jesus?"

"Right!" Dad said. "Sunlight is nice. So is electricity." Dad pointed up at the outside light fixture. "But Jesus is the true light of the world. Do you know why?"

"Because He saved us from our sins!" Juan said proudly.

"Exactly." Dad patted Juan on the back. "Because He saved us by dying for our sins and rising from the dead, we will live in His light now and forever. And we can shine His light to others by showing them His love and telling them about Him." Dad stood. "Let's go inside."

Juan unscrewed the container lid. He gently shook the plastic until the fireflies flew out and cut a blinking path in the darkness. Juan joined his dad by the door. "I'm glad God made fireflies. They are the second-best light in the world. I'm happier God sent Jesus to be the best light in the world."

–Rose Ross Zediker

How About You?
Are you a light in the darkness? Do you complain or give thanks? Are you mean or kind? Do you argue or make peace? Sin brings darkness to the world, but if you know Jesus, He has freed you from sin and given you His light. When you show others His love through qualities like thankfulness, kindness, and peace, others will see His light shine through you in your words and actions. You can bring light to the world and point others to Jesus!

Today's Key Verse:
While I [Jesus] am in the world, I am the light of the world. (NIV) (John 9:5)

Today's Key Thought:
Shine the light of Jesus

Bible Reading: Hebrews 13:5-8

When Jake's parents got divorced, Mason saw his friend cry for the first time. Jake was frustrated and confused and didn't know how he was going to make it through things, and Mason didn't know how to help him. The more time he spent with Jake, the more worried Mason got about his own parents and what might happen to them.

"Are you and Dad going to get divorced?" Mason asked his mom one evening as she was making supper.

Mom's brows lowered. "No, honey."

"But how do you know that?" Mason asked. "What if you get in a big fight like Jake's parents?"

Mom stopped chopping vegetables and put an arm around him. "Life feels uncertain at times, doesn't it? Especially when you see someone you care about going through hard things."

She walked him to the table and sat down beside him. "Your dad and I are not getting divorced," she said firmly. "I know it's hard to see Jake go through his parents' divorce, but you can be there for him. He has a great friend in you, and he has an even better friend in Jesus. His parents are still going to be there for him too. Even if they're not both around all the time, they still love him."

Mason nodded. "That's what I tried to tell him. I'm trying to help him, but I just got scared thinking about you and Dad."

"I'm sorry." Mom hugged him. "Life can be really confusing and scary sometimes. But one thing that remains the same through it all is God. He never changes, even when things change in your family or around you. Jesus promises never to leave those who trust in Him. Even when everything seems to be falling apart, He is with us, giving us strength, peace, and comfort. He is the same today as He was yesterday, and He'll be the same when you wake tomorrow too."

"I'll tell that to Jake. I think it might make him feel better too." Mason got up with a new feeling of peace inside. It was great to know that no matter what else changed in life, God never would. Even if he faced sad or scary things, Jesus would be with him. And Jesus would be with Jake too.

–Bethany Acker

How About You?
Have you had to face a big change or difficult event in your life? Or perhaps a friend or family member is going through something tough and it's making you feel afraid. When scary or difficult things take place in life, remember that God is always the same. No matter what happens, His love for you won't change, and He won't ever leave you. Trust Him to be with you, and remind other Christians that He's with them too.

Today's Key Verse:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (NIV) (Hebrews 13:8)

Today's Key Thought:
God doesn't change