Daily Devotional for September 25, 2022
Bad Dog
Cooper slumped down in his chair and pushed apple slices around on his plate. His mom noticed his discouraged look. “You’ve had a pretty crummy week, haven’t you?” she said.
Cooper nodded. In just one week, he had argued with his best friend, gotten detention for disrupting class, and had to sit out soccer practice for starting a fight. Besides the trouble at school, he’d been punished for hitting his sister and lying to his dad.
“I can’t stop doing things that are wrong, Mom,” Cooper said. “I really want to do what’s right, but I always end up doing something bad again. Have you…” Cooper hesitated, then hurried on to ask his question. “Have you ever wondered if God might stop loving you if you kept doing wrong stuff?”
Mom raised her eyebrows. “Is that worrying you?”
Cooper sighed. “Well, I just wonder sometimes. I’m always asking God to forgive something I did, but then I go and do some other bad thing. Seems like—” He stopped as his new puppy ran into the room with one of Cooper’s sweatshirts in its mouth. “Oh no!” Cooper exclaimed. He quickly grabbed his dog, but one sleeve was already badly chewed. “Bad dog!” scolded Cooper, taking the shirt away.
“Don’t you want to get rid of that puppy, Cooper?” Mom asked. “He’s always chewing things, making messes, digging holes! He’s so bad. You don’t really want to keep him anymore, do you?”
“Of course I do!” said Cooper. “I don’t like it when he’s bad, but he’s only a puppy. I’ll teach him to be good. He’s mine, and I’m not getting rid of him!”
Mom smiled. “Don’t you think God feels the same way about you? He doesn’t want to get rid of you; you’re His child! Jesus sacrificed His life so you could belong to Him. He’s not happy about it when you sin, but He wants to teach you how to do better.” Mom scratched the puppy’s drooping ears. “Every time you think of how much you care for this little rascal, think of how much more God cares for you! Then remember He is gracious and forgiving and trust Him to help you do what’s right.”
As Cooper looked at his puppy, his face broke into a bright smile.
-Jessica Van Dessel
How about you?
Have you thought God might stop loving you because you still sin? He won’t. You’re very precious to God—He sent His own Son to die for you so you could be His child! He won’t stop loving you, but He may need to discipline you so you’ll learn to do what’s right. Confess your sin to Him, and learn from the discipline He gives through parents, teachers, and others in authority. God is patient and forgiving, and He will always love you.
Thank you for reading this Keys for Kids devotional! Did you enjoy the story? Has Keys for Kids been an encouragement to you and your family? If so, would you please consider supporting Keys For Kids Ministries in our effort to continue to provide these daily devotionals to children around the world?