Missing

Bible Reading: Matthew 18:10-14

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS CHILD? The large print on the back of a flyer that had come in the mail caught Caroline’s eye as she sat down at the table to eat breakfast. There was a picture of a cute little girl, along with information about who she was and where she had been seen last. “Wouldn’t you love to find one of these missing kids, Bryce?” Caroline asked her brother. “It must be awful to be lost. And their parents must be so worried!”

“I’m sure they are,” said Mom.

“Remember when you went home with Madelyn after school one day and didn’t call Mom?” asked Bryce. “Mom contacted everyone we know trying to find you.”

“I was very worried,” said Mom, “and very relieved when I finally found out where you were.”

“I know—so relieved that you grounded me,” said Caroline. “So now I always check with you whenever I want to do something before coming home.” She looked at the picture again. “Anyway, I’d like to find a real missing kid and keep other parents from worrying.”

Caroline pictured herself patroling the park, watching for little kids who looked like they might be lost. “I’d need a cell phone to call their parents,” she said, “and I’d bring games for the kids to play until their parents came.” She frowned. “Or should I take them directly to their homes?”

Bryce laughed. “You’d have to actually find a missing kid first,” he said, “and there’s not much chance of that ever happening!”

Caroline sighed. “I guess not.”

“Well,” said Mom, “I was just thinking that we probably know some missing kids already.”

“What?” Caroline’s spoon clanged into her bowl. “We know some?” She looked at the face on the flyer. “You haven’t seen this girl, have you, Mom?”

Mom shook her head. “Actually, I’m thinking of kids who are missing from God’s family,” she said. “We know lots of kids, but I wonder how many of them trust Jesus. We need to tell them about Him and let them know He wants them to come to Him and become a part of His family.” – Sharyl Noelle

How About You?

Do you know if your friends have accepted Jesus? If they haven’t, they are lost. You can’t rescue them—only Jesus can do that—but you can tell them about Him. You can also invite them to places where they’ll hear about His love—places like church or Bible club. Do what you can to bring them to the place where they’ll be found by Jesus.

Today’s Key Verse: Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Today’s Key Thought:

Tell others about God’s family