Bible Reading: Psalm 55:16-17, 22 As Jeremiah looked out the window at the falling rain, he felt like his life was as dismal as the day. Dad left home, and we don't even know where he is, he thought. Now Mom is sick, and it's up to me to look after her and my two little sisters. But how can I do all that plus run my lawnmowing business and go to school? I sure can't do it all alone. Just then the city bus pulled up to the corner and an elderly woman got off. It was Granny Gresham, a nearby neighbor, and she had a big suitcase. The wind was so strong that Granny could scarcely take a step forwa ..read more

Bible Reading: Psalm 36:7-9; John 14:26-28 Stroking the hen's feathers, Rowan grinned as the chicks tugged at his pants, then scuttled under their mother. "Hi, girls." His sisters Opal and Sylvie joined him, peering under the hen at the chicks, but they knew better than to touch. "They're so cute!" Five-year-old Rosalind tried to grab a chick, but the chick's mother puffed up and jumped at her defensively. "Rosie, you have to be gentle, or else Luna will do that again," Mom said as she walked up and peeled off her gardening gloves. "She's a very protective mother, you know." The chicks at last ..read more

Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:9-13 "Did you see my hit, Dad?" Caden asked as he climbed into the pick-up. "My first of the season!" Dad nodded. "You know, it could have been a double if you had stepped into the swing." "I know, but..." Caden quieted. Mom opened the front door as they drove up to the house. "How was the game, guys?" "I got a hit," said Caden softly as Dad shuffled away to weed the flower beds. "Great!" said Mom. "I'm sorry I couldn't be--" But Caden was already inside. He surveyed the kitchen for a snack as Mom followed him into the room. "I tried a new cookie recipe today ..read more

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:31-32; Hebrews 12:1-2 "Mom, look at this!" Sari pointed to the TV. "This woman has been hoarding junk for more than twenty years, and now her house is so full she can't even move around in it! It's a huge health hazard, and she's going to be forced to leave her home if she doesn't clean it out. The team of people who make this show came to help. Just look at all that stuff!" Mom shook her head sadly. "That poor woman. It's so hard to let go of things sometimes." Sari rolled her eyes. "It's her own fault for letting it get like that! Couldn't she see that her house wa ..read more

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 33:26-27; Isaiah 40:28-31 Mario and his dad were on a fishing trip when Mario made a discovery--an eagle's nest way up near the top of a tall tree. And up in the sky, they saw a large bird soaring high over the river. Mario let out a long breath. "Wow! I wish I could fly like that!" "Well, that eagle didn't always have such great flying skills," said Dad. "I've read that baby eagles are afraid of flying. In fact, it takes a great deal of their mother's prodding to get them out of their soft, warm nest." "I know. We talked about them in school. My teacher said the mot ..read more

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2:9-10 Grace took her treasure box out from under the bed and opened it to look over the contents inside. She took a couple of items out and inspected them. A special note from Grandma. A ballet ticket stub. A birthstone ring. A picture book. She smiled as she returned them to her box. She often did this before going to bed. Seeing her treasures brought memories that gave her happy, warm feelings. One morning, Grace's little sister greeted her eagerly. "I had a dream last night," said Everly. "It was about a great big treasure box. It was way bigger than yours, and lots ..read more

Bible Reading: Psalm 42; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Revelation 21:3-5 "I'm going for a walk." Mel's attention shot up at Owen's announcement as he entered the kitchen. He still had his hoodie on, but he was actually wearing jeans, not sweatpants. "You want to join?" Mel nodded and jumped to her feet, and within a minute they were out the door. Mel loved walking in their neighborhood downtown. She liked the scrunched-up houses and how close they lived to their neighbors. As she and Owen walked in silence, Mom's words from a couple weeks ago telling her that Owen had depression echoed in her ears. She kept ..read more

Bible Reading: Psalm 23; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Mel peeked out of her room to see if Owen's door was still shut. It was. All she saw was the array of homemade stickers plastered over it. The door was closed a lot lately. Mel sighed. She wished Owen would play with her and tease her for the silly-looking people she drew. "Dinner's ready!" Mom's voice startled Mel, but she grinned when she smelled her favorite chicken and pasta. At dinner Mel glanced over at Owen's empty chair. "Mom, Owen's been acting strange. He rarely eats with us, and he hasn't wanted to hang out with me." The words tumbled out ..read more

Bible Reading: Psalm 66:10-12; Colossians 3:1-14; 1 Peter 1:7 Poppy walked into the kitchen just as her mom was coming in from outside. It was a hot day, and her mom's face was bright red and dripping with sweat. "Mom!" Poppy laughed. "What have you been doing?" Her mom was breathing heavily, but she smiled. "I went outside a couple hours ago to clean up the lilac bushes. Well, they were in much worse shape than I thought. I just came in for a drink, but there's still lots for me to do." "I'll help!" Poppy said, grabbing her gardening gloves. As the two approached the giant lilac bushes in the ..read more

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 As Macy walked with her mom to the barn, she began to pick a bouquet of wildflowers. She was so excited to see flowers again. Winter was over, and spring was budding everywhere. "After we finish helping Dad and Jake with the chores in the barn, we can get those pretty flowers in a vase," Mom said. Macy set the flowers down in the feed room and got some hay to give to the horses. "Good morning, Cinnamon!" Macy said as she pitched some hay into Cinnamon's stall. She gave all the horses hay, then helped Dad let a couple of the horses out to graze in the pastur ..read more