Read: Exodus 19:3-6; Isaiah 40:27-31 Annie leaned her forehead against the cool windowpane of the airport in Sicily. She sighed as she watched yet another large airplane taxi down the runway and fly off into the big blue sky. Her family had been detoured on the way back to the States from Africa where they…
Read: Romans 5:1-5; 8:24-28 “It’s such a nice day,” Adrianna said. “Look at the sunshine, Mom! Nate, don’t you wish we could go to the waterpark today?” Nate looked at his little sister. “It would be fun, but I’m sure Mom and Dad have other plans for the day.” “I’m not sure what our plans…
Read: 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “I need you to move a little faster, Lincoln. What’s taking you so long? This morning could not be going any worse, and you’re not helping things at all.” Lincoln blinked back tears as his mom snapped at him for being too slow heading out to the van. One of his…
Read: Deuteronomy 31:7-8; Joshua 1:5 “Mae, I’d like you to put Miles down for his nap today,” said Mom. “I need to make an important phone call.” “Okay,” said Mae, smiling at her little brother. “Nap time!” she announced to the energetic little boy. Laughing, Miles toddled away, wanting his sister to chase him. Mae…
Read: Isaiah 55:8-9 Gunner ran to the garage when he heard his parents drive in. “Is Grandpa okay?” he asked anxiously as they got out of the car. Dad put his hand on Gunner’s shoulder. “Your grandfather isn’t suffering anymore,” he said quietly. “He died this afternoon—he’s in heaven now.” Gunner swallowed hard, forcing back…
Read: Colossians 1:9-14 Hudson was working on his electric train set when Dad joined him in the basement. “How’s the train project coming along?” he asked. “Good!” said Hudson. “It’s almost ready to run.” “All right!” said Dad. “And how was school today?” Hudson frowned. “I got in trouble for coming in late from recess…
Read: Romans 8:35-37; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; 1 Peter 4:12–14 Alisha ran inside the house. “There’s a butterfly outside!” she exclaimed. “I got a picture on my phone. Do you want to see it?” she asked Devin, her older sister. “Sure.” Devin inspected the photo. “That butterfly is beautiful,” she said as she cut into a…
Read: Proverbs 4:20-27; Matthew 14:22-32 Mara climbed up onto the beam Dad had built for her. She was determined to make the school gymnastics team, but after taking a few steps, she wobbled and nearly slipped off. “Focus your eyes on that picture you put up,” Mom said. While staring at the picture on the…
Read: Mark 4:35-41 BOOM! Seven-year-old Carter sat up in bed. Rain spattered against the window, and lightning streaks made his room as bright as day. He could see his favorite teddy bear propped in a corner. BOOM! Another loud crash of thunder. Carter burrowed under his covers, a pillow pressed over his ears. From under…
Read: Psalm 23:4; Romans 5:1-5 “It looks like Dad’s getting ready to mow the lawn,” said Evelyn as she and her mother worked in the flower garden. Mom nodded as she looked out across the lawn in front of their house. “It will be the first mowing of the year, and it’s time—just look at…
