Footsteps

Bible Reading: Psalm 18:30-36

“Let’s go up to the spring today, Maxwell,” said Uncle Rob as they got ready for an early morning walk. Maxwell was spending the week with his aunt and uncle at their log cabin in the mountains. “I’ve seen a lot of animal tracks there lately.”

“All right! Maybe we’ll see some deer!” said Maxwell as they started out.

Rain during the night had made the path slippery, and Maxwell found it hard to walk. “My feet keep sliding,” he said.

“Try following in my footsteps,” said Uncle Rob. So Maxwell placed his feet into the big footprints Uncle Rob made in the soft earth.

“Hey! This works well!” Maxwell said. “I hardly slip at all now.”

When they neared the spring, they saw a mother deer and her fawns drinking the water. “Cool!” Maxwell said after the deer had gone. “I think I could stay here forever.” He sighed. “But I guess I have to go home since school starts next week.”

“I thought you were excited about starting middle school,” said Uncle Rob.

“I am…sort of. But I’ve heard the older kids can be mean to you. They think they’re so big and important.”

“New situations can be scary,” Uncle Rob agreed. “But think about our walk up the trail. It was hard to make it on your own, but when you walked in my footsteps, it was much easier, wasn’t it? And you don’t have to make it through the school year on your own either.”

“Well, I know I’ll have friends there,” said Maxwell. “But I’m not sure they’ll be much help.”

“Maybe not, but in one of the Psalms, David says God kept his feet from slipping. I like to think God was going before David, making big footprints for him to walk in. Remember that God will be with you too—Jesus promises to help you in every situation. He knows all about middle school and what it’s like.”

“I didn’t think they had middle school when He was on earth,” Maxwell said, grinning.

Uncle Rob chuckled. “No, but He showed love to everyone, even people who were mean to Him, and He’ll help you follow in His footsteps.” Uncle Rob smiled. “Now, let’s go see what Aunt Heather has fixed for breakfast.” -Deana Rogers

How About You?

Do you worry about new situations you’ll have to face? Will you be going to a new school this year? Or will you have different classmates than you’ve had before? God doesn’t make you face new situations alone—He’s with you and understands just what you’re going through. Ask Him for wisdom and courage. Trust Him to guide your steps as you follow Him.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 18:36 You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

God helps you in new situations