A Very Bad Day

Bible Reading: PSALM 86:1-7

Graham sat down next to his dad on the couch and sighed. “Is something bothering you?” Dad asked.

“I had a bad day at school today,” Graham replied quietly.

“I’m sorry,” said Dad. “Want to tell me about it?”

“Well, on the way to school, a boy on the bus threw a wad of gum, and it got stuck in my hair,” said Graham. “Our principle had to use an ice cube to unstick it!”

“And I suppose that made you late for class,” Dad said.

Graham nodded. “Yeah, so before going to lunch, I had to finish the work I missed by coming in late and didn’t get to the cafeteria in time to eat with my friends. So I sat at a table alone.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Dad said.

Graham shrugged. “After school, I just wanted to get home, so I grabbed my stuff and went out to the bus. But when I got home, I realized I left a homework assignment that’s due tomorrow in my locker. Now I’ll probably be marked down for turning it in late.” Graham frowned. “It was an awful day.”

“Want to know what I do when I have a bad day?” Dad asked.

Graham turned to his dad. “Tell Mom about it?”

“Yes, that’s one of the things I do, and it helps,” Dad said. “Didn’t sharing your day with me make you feel a little better?”

“A little, but what else do you do?” Graham asked.

“I also share my problems with someone else—I share them with Jesus,” replied Dad. “He knows what it’s like to have a bad day—He experienced the worst day of all when He suffered and died for our sins. But He was willing to do that so we could one day be free of bad days once and for all and live with Him forever. I always feel better when I talk to Him and am reminded of that.” Dad smiled at Graham. “You can talk with Him too. He loves you and cares about what you’re going through. Wouldn’t you like to tell Him all the things that happened to you today?”

Graham nodded. “I better start now—I have a lot to tell Him!”

VERONICA R. GUERRIERO

How About You?

When you’re having a bad day, do you talk to someone about it? It often helps to share your problems with a parent or a friend. Jesus wants to hear about what’s bothering you too. You can talk to Him anytime, and He’ll listen and help you with your problems. He won’t always make them go away, but He’ll remind you how much He loves you and help you know how to handle them.

Today’s Key Verse:
PSALM 86:7 IN THE DAY OF MY TROUBLE I WILL CALL UPON YOU, FOR YOU WILL ANSWER ME. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Talk to Jesus about problems