Daily Devotional for February 22, 2021
Tori’s Birthday
It was Tori’s birthday, but nobody cared. Her mom was busy cleaning the house when she got up, and Tori helped herself to a bowl of cereal. Her little brothers were arguing in their room, and her dad was at work. Tori didn’t even see a present sitting out for her. She frowned as she ate her breakfast. Did her family forget that she turned ten today?
Her mom shut off the vacuum. “Good morning, Tori.”
Good morning, not happy birthday. Tori sighed.
Her youngest brother let out a shout, and her mom hurried from the room. Tori got up from the table and carried her bowl to the sink. Since no one cared it was her birthday, she went outside and sat down on the porch step by herself.
“Hello, Tori,” Mrs. Richards called. She was hanging laundry on the line next door.
“Hi,” Tori said glumly.
Mrs. Richards’s brow wrinkled. “Are you all right?”
“It’s my birthday,” Tori said.
“That doesn’t look like the face of a birthday girl,” Mrs. Richards said.
Tori straightened up. “That’s because everyone forgot it’s my birthday.
Mrs. Richards stepped across the grass toward her. “I’m sorry. It doesn’t feel good to feel forgotten.” Mrs. Richards sat down beside her. “Do you think the sheep felt alone and forgotten when he was lost?”
Tori was confused. “What?”
“In the Bible, Jesus told a story about a sheep that wandered away. The shepherd searched for that sheep until he found him, but do you think the sheep felt forgotten when he was all by himself?”
Tori shrugged. “Probably.”
Mrs. Richards squeezed Tori’s shoulder. “God knows it’s your birthday. That sheep wasn’t forgotten, and you’ll never be forgotten either. The Shepherd is always with you.” She winked. “And I have a feeling your family knows it’s your birthday too,” she said. “Happy birthday,” she added before walking back to her laundry line.
Tori’s brow wrinkled. She knew Mrs. Richards was right. Jesus knew it was her birthday, and he would never forget her. She got up and stepped into the house.
“Surprise!” Her family popped out from behind the couches. Her brothers, parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles had all been waiting for her.
Tori grinned. Her family hadn’t forgotten her either. • Bethany Acker
How about you?
Have you ever felt forgotten? Do you know that Jesus is always with you, no matter where you are? He loves you and will never forget you. When you feel alone and forgotten, remember that He is the Good Shepherd who came to find you when you were lost. Even if others forget about you, He won’t. He will always be with you and take care of you.
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