Security Blanket

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 31:7-8; Joshua 1:5 Mae, I’d like you to put Matt 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, Matt toddled away, wanting his sister to chase him….

Monkey Business (Part 2)

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:4-9 Naomi pulled the curtain back from the living room window and watched her pet monkey pace around the yard. “Mickey’s not happy being outside by himself,” she told her mom. “But he’s been naughty, so I’m going to leave him there for a while.” Mom nodded. “I saw him pulling at…

Monkey Business (Part 1)

Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:5-11 Naomi, a missionary kid, lived along the Amazon River in South America. She had a unique variety of pets. She especially loved Mickey, her kitten-sized monkey, but he was such a rascal! One day, he scampered to the bookcase and cautiously ran his hand across the books. Then he began tearing…

Silent Witness

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:5-10 Wearing a big smile, Dad walked into the living room where Kadie and Mom were playing a board game. “Kadie, do you remember when you went out for pizza with your youth group last month?” “Sure,” said Kadie. “We had lots of fun.” “Well,” said Dad, “Pastor Williams just sent…

The Arrowhead

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:13-16; Romans 8:28-30 Stephen hoisted himself up onto a ledge of crumbling granite and collapsed on a small patch of mossy grass. “That was quite a climb!” he said as he rubbed his aching legs. “Aren’t you tired, Uncle Don? We’ve hiked a long way.” “We’ll catch our breath for a few…

Everyone’s Welcome

Bible Reading: Matthew 4:23-25 Before leaving on their field trip, Mila’s Sunday school teacher waved for everyone to gather together. “After we go see the Statue of Liberty, we’ll have a picnic lunch, followed by games,” Miss Webber told the excited kids. “Make sure you pay attention during the tour. Later I’m going to ask…

Sparkling Clean

Bible Reading: Romans 3:22-26 Rosita wiped the sweat from her forehead, then got back to scrubbing the pot in the sink. She was working as hard as she could to clean the kitchen before Mom got home. They’d had a fight that morning, and Rosita was sorry for the things she’d said. I want this…

Who’s in Charge Here?

Bible Reading: Romans 13:1, 4; 1 Timothy 2:2 Gavin sat with Dad watching the evening news. When it was over, Dad switched it off and turned to Gavin. “What do you think of all that?” Gavin had grown very quiet. Most of what was happening he didn’t understand, but there were lots of people protesting…

Only a Mist

Bible Reading: Mark 12:29-31; James 4:13-17 Jade stretched and yawned. Then she jumped down from her place on the top bunk and hurried to get dressed. “Let’s go, troops!” yelled a cheery voice from outside. “We have many miles to cover on our morning hike.” “How can Erica be so cheerful at seven o’clock in…

Left Behind

Bible Reading: Isaiah 41:8-10 Keira peeked through the blinds of her bedroom window at the Sold! sign on her front lawn. She turned back to the sea of boxes surrounding her as a tear slipped from her eye and landed with a wet splat on the cardboard. I can’t decide if I want my butterfly…