Bible Reading: Proverbs 22:1-5 Eden almost bumped into her mother when Mom stopped short as they walked on the bike path near their home. Eden started to say something, but she noticed the shushing finger her mother held to her lips. Mom pointed to the side of the trail a little ahead of them. A… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: James 4:13-14 “Look at that bumper sticker.” Grant pointed ahead. “It says, ‘Life is short, and then you die.’” Grant looked at his mother. “Is that supposed to be funny?” “Maybe—but it’s not funny,” said Mom. “It does make a point though. Remember all the cicadas that were around last summer?” “Those big… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Mark 12:41-44 “Are you two having fun?” William’s aunt asked in between the fizzing and popping of the fireworks at their church’s Funday Festival. “Yes!” William and his new friend Petros exclaimed together. “Another half hour before we need to go home,” Aunt Rebecca reminded them. Petros and his family had only been… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:1-4 “Mom, can I have an advance on my allowance?” asked Vanessa one day. “An advance?” repeated Mom. “What do you need it for?” Vanessa took a deep breath. “I can’t tell you. It’s a secret.” Mom frowned. “The last time you asked for money and didn’t want to tell me why,… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Acts 9:36-41; Galatians 6:10; 1 Peter 4:10-11 Lily ran into the kitchen and quietly sat down when she saw Mom on the phone. Mom smiled. “Lily just came in. You can ask her.” Mom gave Lily the phone. “It’s Grandma.” “Hi, Grandma!” Lily listened. “Sure, I’ll go with you. Bye.” Lily hung up…. Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 22:37-40; John 15:12-13, 15; Acts 20:35 Megan sat in the hairdresser’s chair. Sharon, her mom’s stylist, smiled and wrapped a cape over Megan’s shoulders. “What are we doing today, Megan?” “I want to donate my hair to help make a wig for a kid with cancer,” Megan replied. Sharon looked at Megan… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 “Do you think Chips will be okay?” Sam asked his mom anxiously. “I think so, but we’ll just have to wait and see,” Mom replied. Sam’s dog had broken his leg, and the veterinarian was setting it in a cast. “I’ll help pay for the vet bill,” Sam offered. “You… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Romans 10:9-13 “A heart transplant?” Jesse asked with wide eyes. His parents had just explained to him and his younger brother, Marcus, that the doctors had decided Grandpa should have a heart transplant as soon as a donor could be found. Dad nodded. “It’s amazing what doctors can do these days, but we… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:12-13 Snip, snip, snip! Natalie scowled as her scissors jabbed the paper. “What’re you making?” Allie asked. “Isn’t it obvious? Hearts.” Snip! “Oh, now I see! You always have such good ideas, Natalie.” Natalie huffed. Allie’s so weird, she thought. Like her ugly plaid dress. No way would Natalie be caught dead… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Isaiah 40:27-31; Habakkuk 3:16-19 “Henry!” Sally shrieked. “Come quick! He did it again!” Henry ran to the backyard where Sally was and saw his new fainting goat Sour Cream lying upside down in the grass—all four hooves sticking straight up in the air like popsicle sticks. Sally looked worried. “Do you think we… Continue Reading…