A Growing Heart

Bible Reading: Galatians 3:26-29

“Harper, come downstairs. Zoe will be here any minute,” Mom called. Harper had met Zoe at their cancer support group, and the families had grown close. Now the cancer in Zoe’s mom was quickly spreading, and Harper’s family was planning on adopting Zoe if her mother did not recover.

Harper dragged her feet. “I don’t want Zoe to come over.”

Mom frowned. “You know her mom has treatment for the next couple days. Zoe needs our family to support her right now.”

Harper began to cry. “I don’t want Zoe’s mom to die. And I don’t want Zoe to take my place in the family. What if you decide you love her more than me?”

Mom gave Harper a hug. “I don’t want Zoe’s mom to die either, but if she does, Zoe will not replace you in my heart.” She brushed Harper’s hair out of her face. “Did you know that, in a way, you are adopted too?”

Harper looked startled. “I am?”

Mom nodded. “You were adopted by God. When you trusted Jesus as your Savior, not only did He forgive your sins, you also became His child. He adopted you to be his very own!”

Harper thought for a moment. “Zoe and her mom both love Jesus too. Does that mean we’ve already been adopted into the same family?”

“Absolutely!” said Mom. “We are all in God’s family.” She looked at Harper. “Do you think that when God adopted you, you replaced the love He had for Zoe and her mom?”

Harper made a face. “Of course not!”

“Well, God made us the same way,” Mom said. “If Zoe comes into our family, our hearts will grow bigger with love for each other.”

Harper relaxed a bit but still looked concerned. “But what about her mom?”

“That’s the best part,” Mom replied, “As a child of God, God will never leave her and will always care for her. If she stays with us, God will be with her, and if she dies, God will be there too, waiting to welcome her home.”

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Harper jumped up, smiling. “I’ll get it! I’m sure Zoe needs some help with her things.” Bethany Den Boer

How About You?

Have you ever faced something hard? Perhaps you’re having trouble with kids at school, or someone you know is sick and struggling. The Bible says that God loves you and calls you His very own. He sacrificed His Son, Jesus, so you could be His child, and nothing can change the love He has for you. Trust Him to be with you and help you in any situation you face.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

You are God’s child