Never Alone

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Lily sat on her front porch step. The sun shone from a clear blue sky, but deep inside, Lily felt as if a dark cloud hovered overhead. She looked down at Rags, her new brown puppy. She picked him up and hugged him.

Just then Dad, who served in the military, got home. “What’s wrong, pumpkin?” he asked as he sat down beside her. “You look as if you don’t have one friend in the whole wide world.”

“I—I just wonder what’s going to happen,” said Lily. “What if…” She hesitated. “Sometimes I almost wish you weren’t in the Army. What if you get transferred overseas? I’d be so lonely if you were so far away.”

“I understand how you feel—I’d be lonely then too,” said Dad. “But remember how we prayed and talked about how God cares for us, no matter where we are?” Lily nodded. “Can you trust God to help you adjust to whatever He has for us in the future?” asked Dad. “Can you trust Him to take care of me, no matter where I might be sent? And to take care of Mom and you and the rest of the kids?”

Lily sighed. “I’ll try.”

Dad looked at the little dog resting peacefully in Lily’s lap. “Think about Rags for a minute,” he said. “Do you remember how lonely he was the first few days you had him?”

Lily nodded. “He cried for his mother a lot, especially at night when there was nobody to pay attention to him.” She buried her face in the puppy’s furry neck.

“But you gave him so much love that he learned to depend on you, and he’s happy to be with us now.” Dad reached out to pet the little dog. “If you care so much for your puppy, don’t you think the Lord cares even more for us?” Sighing, Lily nodded. “And just like Rags trusts you to take care of him and make him happy, we can trust God to do the same for us,” added Dad. “We may not always like everything that happens, but we can trust God to give us joy in Him.” – Marilyn J. Senterfitt

How About You?

Has something happened in your life that’s made you feel lonely? Today’s Scripture reading was written by Paul, and it tells about a time when he was put in prison. He says no one stayed with him—everybody left him alone. But God didn’t leave him! God stayed with him and gave him strength, and He’ll do the same for you too. He loves you and will never leave you alone.

Today’s Key Verse:
2 Timothy 4:17 The Lord stood with me and strengthened me.

Today’s Key Thought:

God is always with you