Left Behind

Bible Reading: Isaiah 41:8-10

Keira peeked through the blinds of her bedroom window at the Sold! sign on her front lawn. She turned back to the sea of boxes surrounding her as a tear slipped from her eye and landed with a wet splat on the cardboard.

I can’t decide if I want my butterfly pillow at Mom’s apartment or Dad’s house, she thought. With a big sigh, she threw it into the box marked Mom, along with some other toys and books.

Keira’s mom knocked on her door. “Keira, is everything okay in there? You need to be finished packing by lunchtime.”

When Keira didn’t answer, Mom opened the door and found her silently crying over the open box. “What’s wrong?” Mom asked, wrapping her tightly in a hug.

“I can’t decide if I want my butterfly pillow at your apartment or Dad’s house. I need it to fall asleep,” Keira said, wiping her eyes. “Why do we have to sell our house and move into two separate places? I want my pillow with me every night! And I want you and Daddy with me every night too.”

“I’m so sorry our divorce has hurt you so badly, Keira,” Mom said, rubbing her arm. “We both love you very much, even when we’re not with you. And the good news is you can take your pillow to Dad’s house and then bring it back to my apartment. Your pillow can go everywhere with you. You never have to leave it behind.” Mom picked up Keira’s Bible from the open cardboard box. “Just like Jesus promised us in the Bible that He would never leave us. God is always with you, Keira, even when Dad and I are not.”

Mom gently placed Keira’s butterfly pillow and Bible into her backpack. “How about we keep these two special things in your bag so they’re easy to take back and forth between my apartment and Dad’s house?”

Keira glanced out the window again at the sign in her yard. “I’m not sold on the idea,” she said to Mom with a smile, “but I guess I can give it a try.” – Nicole Kraayenbrink

How About You?

Have you experienced the pain and feelings of abandonment that divorce brings? Maybe your own parents are divorced or an aunt and uncle or perhaps a friend’s mom and dad. Even when it feels like someone in your life has left you behind, remember that Jesus cares about you and will always be with you wherever you are.

Today’s Key Verse:
Deuteronomy 31:6 For the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.

Today’s Key Thought:

God will never leave you