Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Revelation 21:1-4

Addison gazed at the glistening night sky and frowned. This family camping trip hadn't cheered her up a bit. She still felt sad about all the terrible things going on in the world.

She sniffled when Mom came and sat beside her on the large tree stump. "I don't think I'm going to pray anymore. It doesn't seem to be making a difference."

Mom took a wrinkled tissue out of her jeans pocket and gently wiped away Addison's tears. "Don't give up. Sometimes it takes a while to see our prayers answered."

"How much longer will it take?" asked Addison with a deep sigh.

"It depends. God answers prayer in His own time. Some prayers get answered in a day, some in a month, others take years. In fact, many of the blessings we enjoy today are the answers to people's prayers from long ago."

Addison's eyes widened. "How can prayers prayed long ago be helping us today?"

Mom pointed to the night sky. "See those brilliant stars we're enjoying tonight? Astronomers say that when we look at those stars, we're seeing light that took many years to reach our eyes." Mom pointed to a bright, twinkling light in the sky. "See that star? That's the North Star, and the light we see coming from it right now started its journey to earth hundreds of years ago." She smiled at Addison. "Now, I'm not saying you have to wait that long to see the results of your prayers, but sometimes there are prayers that take a long time to be answered. It's even possible you won't ever see the result of some of your prayers, but the light of those prayers will eventually reach the hearts of those they're meant to help."

"Just like the light from the North Star eventually reached us," said Addison.

"Exactly. Even though God doesn't always answer our prayers when or how we want Him to, we know He cares about what's going on in the world and about people who are hurting. He's at work, and one day Jesus will make everything right. Until then, we can trust Him to answer our prayers in the way and at the time He knows is best."

Addison relaxed and observed the beautiful starry night. "I'm going to keep praying," she said thoughtfully, "because someday I know it will help someone."

–Suzanne Daly

How About You?
Do you feel discouraged because your prayers don't seem to make a difference? Don't give up. God answers prayer in His own way and time, but you can be sure your prayers are never wasted or lost. They are like the stars in the sky that many generations will see and benefit from. So keep praying! Someday you'll be surprised by how many people you've helped

Today's Key Verse:
Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV) (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)

Today's Key Thought:
Keep praying

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:7-12

Kiara wanted a pet bird--a green-winged macaw she could train and teach to talk. She prayed for one every night.

Mom and Dad always shook their heads. "Macaws take a lot of work," they'd say. "And space."

Kiara only wanted one gift. Why wouldn't they listen? Why wouldn't God answer her prayers?

One morning, Dad knocked on Kiara's door. "Wake up! We're going somewhere special."

Kiara jumped out of bed. After breakfast, they started driving. Kiara's heart sank when they passed the pet store. "I'm not getting a macaw?"

"No," Dad said. "We don't think that's the best choice."

Kiara blinked fast, holding back tears.

"Here we are!" Mom said.

They got out of the car and passed beneath an arch with the word Aviary on it. Kiara gasped. A walkway led between large enclosures that were fenced in from top to bottom. Each enclosure had its own sign--and its own type of bird. The aviary was a zoo for birds!

"Do they have a green-winged macaw?" Kiara asked.

"They sure do," Mom said.

Kiara ran to the macaw enclosure. She read the sign and learned the macaws used to live in a house, but when their owner couldn't care for them, the aviary took them in.

"They're probably happier here," Kiara said. "They have more space and lots of visitors."

Mom and Dad nodded. "We thought you'd like coming here," Dad said. "If you want, we can get a membership. Then we can come a few times a month. What do you think?"

"Yes, please!" Kiara beamed and pulled her parents into a family hug.

As she watched the macaws, Kiara thought about how Mom and Dad didn't always give her the gifts she asked for, and neither did God. Kiara remembered the Easter story, how Jesus died and His friends were sad because they thought they'd never see Him again. But Jesus dying and rising again was the best gift of all. I guess we don't always know what we need, Kiara thought. But God sure knows how to give good gifts. She smiled. Thank you, God, for answering my prayer.

–Becca Wierwille

How About You?
Have you ever felt like God didn't answer your prayer the way you wanted Him to? God wants us to talk to Him. He wants us to share our desires. But He doesn't always give us what we ask for. Sometimes, He has something better in mind--like how He sent Jesus to die for us so that we can enjoy His love forever. Enjoy the good gifts God gives you, even when they're unexpected.

Today's Key Verse:
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (NKJV) (Matthew 7:11)

Today's Key Thought:
God gives good gifts

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:26-27; 7:24-27

What a horrible week, Ella thought as she dropped her school bag on the table. First I failed my science test, then Aria got mad at me and now she won't talk to me. Just then Mom's voice drifted in from the back porch. "Ella, come look! A bird's making a nest in our yard."

Ella walked out and saw a bird gathering twigs on the branch of an old oak tree. "Mom, that tree's no good! It's dying, isn't it? Almost all of its leaves have fallen off!" She called to the bird. "Make your nest in the apple tree!" It ignored her.

Mom laughed. "It's no use. It's made up its mind to nest there."

That night, the wind howled outside Ella's window, and rain fell down in great torrents. When Ella looked out the window the next morning, she saw the branch from the oak tree lying flat on the ground with bits of straw and twigs scattered around it. "Mom, the bird's nest fell down!" she cried. "Poor bird! What will it do now?"

"I'm sure it will build another one," said Mom.

Ella watched the bird fly around the fallen branch, twittering and chirping. Then it began to collect twigs and straw, and to Ella's surprise, flew across to the apple tree. "Well! I guess it's a good thing the nest fell down before it had eggs in it. Now the bird will have a home with lots of leafy branches for protection from rain and wind."

Mom nodded. "It reminds me of a story Jesus told about a man who built his house on rock and another who built his on sand. When the storms came, the house on sand fell--just like that nest. But the one built on rock held firm. The Bible tells us Jesus is the Rock. When we build our lives on Him by trusting Him as our Savior, we can stand firm in life's storms knowing He is with us and promises to work everything out for our good."

Ella smiled as she watched the bird rebuild its nest in the apple tree. I'm glad I've built my life on Jesus, she thought, and that He will help me through the bad week I'm having.

–Tanya Ferdinandusz

How About You?
What is your attitude when bad things happen in your life? Do you think everything looks hopeless? Or are you able to stand firm in life's storms because you've built your life on the Rock--Jesus? Even in disastrous circumstances, we can stand firm on His promise of eternal life and the peace and hope He offers us in every situation. Trust Him to be with you through all of life's storms.

Today's Key Verse:
All things work together for the good of those who love God. (CSB) (Romans 8:28)

Today's Key Thought:
Build your life on Jesus

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:1-12; 1 John 1:9

Maya and her little brother River watched ants scurry up and down the tiny tunnels in her ant farm. "Look!" said River, pointing to one of the ants. "What is that one carrying?" After a moment, he added, "And why is that one digging a new tunnel? Oh! Is that one cleaning up? Did God make ants too?"

"So many questions!" teased Maya. "Yes, God made ants too."

"Are these ants just like the ones outside?" asked River.

"I guess so. I'd say they're cousins, at least." Maya stood up. "I have to go study, but you can keep watching my ants. Just don't touch the ant farm."

A little while later, Maya heard River run outside. Minutes later, she heard the screen door slam and River scurried by on his way to his room. When she went to check on him, he was lying on the bed with his head under the pillow. It was the way River had tried to hide when he was younger. "River, I see you," said Maya. "What happened? Why are you hiding in your bed?"

Slowly, River pulled his head from under the pillow. "I wanted to show your ants to their cousins outside, but I dropped the ant farm," he said. "It broke, and some of the ants ran away." Tears ran down the little boy's cheeks. "I didn't want you to see!"

"Oh, River!" Maya sighed. "Well, you might have hidden it from me, but you know God sees everything you do. You can't hide from Him. Just like you could see everything the ants did in their ant farm, God always sees you and everything you do."

"I'm really sorry!" cried River.

"I know, and I forgive you," said Maya. "And you know what? God will forgive you too. Instead of trying to hide our wrongs from Him, the Bible says to confess them to Jesus and He will forgive us. He died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins, so we don't ever have to hide."

River smiled. "I'm glad Jesus always forgives us."

"Me too," said Maya. "Now let's go and pick up what's left of the ant farm."

–Daryl B. Knauer

How About You?
When you've done something wrong, do you try to hide it? That might work with people, but never with God. He knows all about you--even what you're thinking--and there is no place where you can hide from Him. So don't try to hide. Instead, tell Jesus when you've done something wrong and ask Him to forgive you. He promises that He will!

Today's Key Verse:
You [God] know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I do. (ERV) (Psalm 139:3)

Today's Key Thought:
God sees everything

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-4

Sebastian quickly wrapped a rubber band around the faucet spray nozzle and ran back to the table. He watched his older sister rush into the kitchen and grab her water bottle. When she turned on the faucet, a fountain of water hit her in the face and she screamed. Sebastian laughed and stamped his feet on the floor. "April Fool!"

"Sebastian!" Leigh shrieked, dripping wet. "That's not funny! I'm going to be late for school!"

Leigh was still fuming when Mom walked in. "Sebastian made the faucet spew water at me, and now I have to go change. I'm going to be late, and I have a quiz in my first class!"

Mom glared at Sebastian, who shrugged and said, "It's April Fools' Day--we always prank each other on April Fools'."

Once Leigh had changed clothes and driven off, Mom got a bottle of orange juice from the fridge and sat down. "Sebastian, I know you were just having fun, but playing a prank like that on Leigh when she's in a hurry to get to school isn't funny. She's trying to get her grades up so she can apply for college. Thinking she might miss her quiz this morning really upset her."

"Sorry, Mom," said Sebastian. "I guess I didn't think about it--it seemed like fun to me."

"I know," said Mom. "But if it's only fun for you, it's not a good joke." She unscrewed the top on the orange juice.

"So how do I know if something is okay or not?" asked Sebastian.

"One thing to do is slow down and think things through. In the Bible, God tells us to think about others instead of just ourselves. We need to trust Him to help us love others the way He loves us by considering their needs and interests. If you had stopped to think about Leigh's feelings, you might have realized pulling a prank like that would upset her."

"So is it ever okay to play an April Fools' joke on someone?" asked Sebastian.

"Sure," said Mom as Sebastian reached for the orange juice. "Just make sure they're having as much fun as you."

Sebastian tried to pour some juice into his cup, but nothing came out--it was frozen solid!

Mom beamed at him. "April Fool!" They both erupted in laughter.

–Courtney Lasater

How About You?
Do you like to play jokes on people? Pranks can be fun, but they should be fun for everyone involved--not just those playing the joke. If the prank you want to pull seems like it could be hurtful or upsetting to the other person, stop! Trust God to help you make loving decisions by thinking about how your actions could affect others. When you play a joke, make sure it's fun for everyone.

Today's Key Verse:
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (NKJV) (Philippians 2:4)

Today's Key Thought:
Think of others first