Naptime Lessons

Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 Corinthians 2:9

It was a rainy Saturday afternoon, and the Clarks were cozily gathered in the living room. “Rosie,” Mom said after a while, “it’s time for your nap.”

“But Mommy, I don’t want to!” Rosie said, and kept on playing.

“No, Rosie, come on and take your nap.”

“But Mommy!”

“Rosie,” said Dad, “you heard your mother. It’s naptime now.”

Rosie finally consented and took Mom’s hand. As they left the living room, she tried to stifle a yawn.

“Mom,” Abigail said when Mom returned, “what do you think I’ll do when I get older?”

“I don’t know,” said Mom, “but I hope you’ll do whatever God wants you to do with your life.”

“But what if I don’t like what God wants me to do in the future?” asked Abigail.

Mom was quiet for a second, then asked, “Can you guess what Rosie did when I put her down for her nap just now?”

Abigail wasn’t sure what this had to do with her question, but she’d seen Rosie going down for a nap enough times to know the answer. “She probably jumped into bed and snuggled under the covers.”

“Right,” said Mom. “Even though she fussed about it at first, she went right to bed when I brought her to her room.”

“Yeah,” said Abigail, “she gets really grouchy and tired when she doesn’t get her nap!”

Mom nodded. “So why do you think she didn’t want to take a nap at first?”

Abigail shrugged. “Because she wanted to keep on playing with her dolls?”

“Yes,” said Mom, “she wanted her own way, but she eventually consented to trust that I knew best in making her take a nap—and discovered it was what she wanted too. You see, we can worry about the future and make ourselves tired and unhappy trying to get our own way, or we can simply trust God to lead us where He wants us to go. It may not always be easy, but we’ll most likely discover that His path is the best one we could have taken, and we wouldn’t have wanted to do anything else.”

“Thanks, Mom,” said Abigail. “I think I’ll try that second choice. I sure don’t want to end up grumpy like Rosie!” – Kaylee Dollins

How About You?

Do you ever worry about the future—about what will happen when you get older or where you’ll live or work? Maybe you also worry about things in the near future, like starting at a new school or making friends. Whatever you worry about, know that God cares and will lead you through it. Trust Him to do what’s best.

Today’s Key Verse:
Isaiah 55:9 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways.

Today’s Key Thought:

Trust God with your future