The Burning Question:
What is a great family gift that everyone will like?
Morning Devotional:
It stinks to be left out. One day after school, my son Zebedee came in the front door completely despondent. He had been playing with his sister Mercy and her friend from across the street, but they told him they didn’t want him around anymore because they wanted to do “girl stuff.” Poor Zebedee.
Being the youngest in the family, Zebedee often finds himself on the outside looking in. Mercy, his closest sibling in age, is a fantastic sister, but she’s a girl with her own interests. His older brothers hang out together and do include him sometimes, but even they don’t always want him tagging along.
In that moment, as I saw the sadness in his eyes, I wanted to scoop him up and assure him of his value and worth. It reminded me that all of us, at some point, have felt left out—whether by family, friends, or even in our faith community.
But here’s the good news: Jesus never leaves anyone out. In fact, He goes out of His way to include the people others might overlook. Think of the children in Matthew 19:14, when Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Jesus sees us, values us, and invites us to belong, no matter who we are or where we’ve been.
If you’ve ever felt excluded, take heart. You are never forgotten by God. His love welcomes everyone to the table, including you. Today, let’s strive to reflect that same love to those around us. Who can you include today, reminding them of their worth in God’s eyes?
-Ryan
Bible Quiz:
Question: What is the first war mentioned in the Bible?
Answer: The war of the kings of the north, led by Chedorlaomer, king of Elam. Battle of siddim. Genesis 14
Storytime: Everyone Gets a Prize!