The Ugly Duckling

Read: Ephesians 4:1-3; Philippians 2:1-4 Lisbeth was shocked at the amount of noise that hit her ears when she stepped into the animal shelter behind her best friend. She had never heard so much barking before. “It’s not always like this,” Jenna said. She had been volunteering for a long time, but this was the first time Lisbeth had come with her and her mom. They walked down a hallway lined with cages, and it seemed like every dog was barking. Lisbeth smiled when she saw one dog just lying in her cage. She didn’t look upset or sick or anything like that; she just looked peaceful, like she really wasn’t bothered by all the noise the other dogs were making. “Do you remember what the Bible says about being peaceful?” Jenna’s mom shouted to be heard above the dogs. “It says we should do our part to live in peace with others, even if the world around us isn’t peaceful. I think Miss Ruby got the message.” She pointed toward the dog Lisbeth had noticed. “But we have something she doesn’t,” Jenna’s mom continued. “Since we belong to Jesus, we have His peace and love in our hearts. That’s what allows us to be truly peaceful.” They spent time playing with the dogs and giving them love, then Lisbeth was dropped off at her house. As she walked up to the door, she could hear shouting. Ever since her mom remarried, the house was constantly noisy. Lisbeth opened the front door. Her older brother was arguing with one of their stepbrothers. Her twin sisters were fighting over a doll. One of her stepsisters was screaming. She covered her ears. There were times when Lisbeth would just join in with everyone else. When everyone else was upset, it was hard not to be mad too. But today she wanted to try something different. Lisbeth walked over to her younger stepbrother and sat down beside him. He wasn’t joining in with all the screaming, but he didn’t look happy either. “Do you want to play a game?” Lisbeth asked. “I’ll play with you.” “Outside?” Darren asked, his eyes wide as he looked around the room. Lisbeth laughed. “Sure.” She wanted to help bring peace to their home, but she didn’t have to stay right in the chaos in order to do that. –Emily Acker How about you? When everyone around you is getting loud and grumpy, do you join in? Or do you try to be the one peaceful person in the room? If you know Jesus as your Savior, you can treat others in a peaceful, loving way, even when tempers flare and no one agrees. Trust Him to help you do what you can to keep the peace. Is there anything you can do—with God’s help—to make your home more peaceful? Today's Key Verse: If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (CSB) Today's Key Thought: Live a peaceful life

Read: Isaiah 61:10; Matthew 20:28 “Jordan, could you please put Athena’s toys away while I give her a bath?” called Mom as she carried Jordan’s little sister to the bathroom. Jordan groaned. He was right in the middle of a video game. He slammed his controller down and stomped into his baby sister’s room. “This is so unfair!” he said as he threw Athena’s toys into the toybox. “I didn’t make this mess. It’s not my job!” After soccer practice the next day, Coach handed Jordan a big bag of dirty laundry. It was Jordan’s turn to take the soccer uniforms home to be washed. Jordan dumped the bag of filthy clothes in the kitchen. “Hang on a minute,” said Mom. “What’s all this?” Jordan was confused. Mom had washed the soccer uniforms countless times before. “It’s our turn to wash the uniforms,” he replied. Mom tossed the bag back at Jordan. “Well, I don’t play soccer, so why should I wash them? It’s not my job!” All of a sudden, Jordan’s own words came back to him. “But I can’t wash these!” he cried. “I don’t know how!” Dad got up from his chair, a wry smile on his face. “Well then, I’ll show you!” Dad patiently showed Jordan how to operate the washing machine. “You know, families should help one another, Jordan, and sometimes that means cleaning up someone else’s mess.” Jordan sighed. “But cleaning up after Athena is hard!” “Well, so is going to work every single day,” said Dad. Jordan had never thought about that before. “And how about Mom?” Dad continued. “She changes dirty diapers. She washes our clothes and cleans up after people all the time. Imagine if she stopped doing all those things because they weren’t her job?” Jordan laughed. “We’d all stink!” Dad grinned. “It reminds me of what Jesus did to save us. He came to earth and cleaned up the great big mess of sin we had made. Jesus never sinned. Not once. But He was willing to die on the cross so our sins could be forgiven. I’m so thankful He saved me and made me clean!” “Me too!” Jordan said as he dumped the dirty uniforms into the washing machine. –Angela Jelf How about you? Do you moan and complain when you’re asked to clean up a mess someone else made? Jesus loves us so much He was willing to save us from the biggest mess of all that none of us were able to clean up—sin. When we trust in Him, He removes our filthy rags of sin and clothes us in garments as white as snow. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Today's Key Verse: He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Titus 3:5 (NIV) Today's Key Thought: Jesus makes us clean

Read: Psalm 121 “Why are we making a scarecrow for the garden?” Cora asked her grandma as she put in some more stuffing. “Well, the scarecrow helps keep the garden safe from crows. The crows love to pull up the sprouts just as they’re popping out of the ground, but when they see the scarecrow, they’re afraid to come into the garden.” “So the scarecrow is pretty important. I think we should name him,” Cora said. “Let’s call him Patrick, Protector of the Garden.” “I like that name,” Grandma replied. When they finished putting the scarecrow together, Grandma and Cora carried him to the center of the garden and set him up. “Okay, Patrick, protect our garden!” Cora exclaimed as she gave him a salute. Grandma smiled. “Now let’s go have some lemonade and cookies.” Grandma got a tray of cookies and two glasses of lemonade, and they went out and sat at the picnic table under the big shade tree. “Making the scarecrow was a lot of fun today,” Cora said as she took a bite of her cookie. “And having you here to help made it even more special for me,” said Grandma. “You know, each year when I make a scarecrow, I stop and think about how the Lord is always watching over me and protecting me. The scarecrow gives me a visual picture. He looks like he’s keeping watch in the center of the garden, and I envision the Lord keeping watch over me in the same way.” “But the scarecrow can’t actually see anything,” Cora said. “He just scares the crows away.” “Right,” said Grandma. “But God sees everything. Proverbs 15:3 says, ‘The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.’ God sees us, and He also loves us. He sent Jesus to save us from sin and evil and to be with us through all of life’s difficulties. So, Cora, if you ever feel like God is far away and you’re all alone, just stop and think of Patrick the Scarecrow and remember what the Bible says about God’s faithfulness to us.” “I will, Grandma.” Cora grinned. “Can I take Patrick home with me after the harvest?” Grandma chuckled. “I’m sure it will be fine, as long as you keep him outside.” –Lisa Fuller How about you? Do you ever feel like God is far away and doesn’t care about you? When you feel that way, open up your Bible. God’s Word is full of verses that will remind you of how much He loves you and His faithfulness to you. He sent His own Son, Jesus, to die for you, and He promises He will never leave you, even when bad things happen. Trust Him to watch over you. Today's Key Verse: The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121:8 (NLT) Today's Key Thought: God watches over you