Gross Outside, Gross Inside

Bible Reading: Psalm 51:7-10 Lily jumped over a puddle and wrinkled her nose. She moved to the side to avoid a soggy straw wrapper someone had left on the ground. “Everything just seems so gross today.” Her mom smiled at her. “Sometimes when everything gets rained on, it can get a little yucky.” “I just…

Instant Everything

Bible Reading: Romans 14:10-13; Galatians 6:1-2 “I’m hungry,” said Peyton. “Can I heat something up for dinner?” “Sure,” said Mom. “Why don’t you fix something for all of us. How about TV dinners?” “Okay. But can I make some extra potatoes? We have a box of instant mashed potato flakes, don’t we? I know how…

Big or Small

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:1-5; 1 John 1:7-9 “Have you finished cleaning your room already?” asked Mom as Kennedy joined her outside. Kennedy nodded but avoided her mother’s eyes. She had not cleaned her room at all, but she intended to get it done before Mom checked later. Kennedy waved at a neighbor girl. “You know,…

A Good Friend

Bible Reading: Romans 15:1-2; Galatians 6:1-3 Wyatt threw his notebook against the wall of his friend’s room. “It’s no use, Isaiah! I’m never going to get this.” Isaiah set his own book down. “Calm down, Wyatt. Let’s go over it again.” “No! I’m done. You’ve been trying to help me for weeks, but I don’t…

A Good Friend

Bible Reading: Proverbs 27:5-6 Zayden’s eyes widened as his dad took a pair of tweezers from their first aid kit. “Hold still, Zayden,” Dad said. Zayden and his dad had been working on his tree house when a large splinter got lodged in Zayden’s thumb. He instinctively drew back his hand. “I know this will…

T-Shirt Christian

Bible Reading: James 3:13-18 “It’s not my turn to take out the trash. Do it yourself!” José yelled at his brother as he slammed the door and stomped down the steps. He looked up to see Kegan, his new neighbor, leaning against the gate and watching him. “Hi, José. Why are you always yelling?” Kegan…

Moving Day

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:12–18 It was moving day. Alaina sat sullenly in the back seat as her mom followed the moving truck Dad was driving. She let out a heavy sigh and started complaining . . . again. “I don’t want to move. I don’t want to leave my friends, and I don’t want to…