Daily Devotional for April 14, 2018
Two Dads
Editor’s note: This story’s subject matter may not be appropriate for young children.
Oliver’s teacher walked to the front of the classroom. “For our next activity, I would like everyone to write the names of their parents on a piece of paper. Then turn to your neighbor and see what names they wrote down.”
When Oliver finished writing, he whirled around in his chair to face Preston. “Whoa!” he exclaimed. “Our moms have the same name! Except I wrote her full name, ‘Samantha,’ and it looks like you shortened it to ‘Sam.’”
“Sam is my dad’s name,” said Preston with a furrowed brow.
Oliver looked at Preston’s paper again. “Then your mom’s name is David?”
“No, that’s my other dad’s name.”
“So you have two dads? And no mom?”
“That’s right,” Preston said.
Oliver turned back around and set his paper on his desk. He had a funny feeling in his stomach about Preston’s two dads.
“Your funny feeling was right, Oliver,” Mom said as they drove home from school that afternoon. “God tells us that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.”
“But why would Preston’s dads do that?” Oliver asked.
“We all sin, Oliver. Remember when you pushed your sister this morning? That was a sin, just like Preston’s dads getting married was a sin. But it’s important to remember that God forgives all sins. He’ll forgive you for pushing Gracie, and He’ll forgive Preston’s dads if they ever ask Him to. That’s all it takes.”
“But all I did was push my sister. What they’re doing seems a lot worse than that!” Oliver said.
“Your sin may not seem as bad to you, but all sin is the same to God. It keeps us from having a relationship with Him. That’s why Jesus came to earth and died on the cross—so we could have our sins forgiven.”
“Do you think Preston and his dads know that?” Oliver asked.
“I don’t know,” said Mom. “But I know Jesus wants you to keep being a friend to Preston. You might be able to help him and his dads understand that they can be forgiven for all their sins, just like you have.”
Oliver fell silent and leaned his head against the window. Lord, please forgive me for pushing Gracie, he prayed silently, and please help me show Your love to Preston and his two dads. – Nicole Kraayenbrink
How about you?
Do you have a friend or family member who is gay? The Bible clearly tells us that acting on feelings like that is a sin—just like cheating on a test or pushing your sister. No matter how big or small our sins seem to us, they all look the same to God, and Jesus died so that we could be forgiven. Help others know that truth by praying for them and showing them the kind of love Jesus has shown 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?