Open Wide

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:129-135

“Mom, come and see!” Cora called. “Robins are building a nest in the tree by the porch.” Mom went to join Cora, and together they watched a pair of robins fly back and forth with grass, moss, and small twigs in their beaks.

A couple of weeks later, the robins began carrying worms to the nest and Cora heard peeping sounds. “They have babies!” she exclaimed, and every day she spent some time watching the activity around the robins’ nest.

One day Cora’s grandpa came to visit. “Come see our robins, Grandpa!” Cora eagerly led him down the back porch steps and pointed to the nest in the nearby tree.

“Here comes Mother Robin,” said Grandpa, and he and Cora watched as three little bald heads bobbed up, three little mouths opened wide, and one of them received the food from its mother.

Cora smiled. “They open their mouths so wide! I can tell they’re getting stronger, and I can’t wait to watch them learn to fly.”

“That will be interesting,” Grandpa agreed as he and Cora sat down on the steps. “What do you think would happen if those baby robins wouldn’t open their mouths for food?”

“Well, they wouldn’t get fed—and they sure wouldn’t ever get strong enough to fly.”

“That’s right,” said Grandpa. “I have another question for you. What happens when Christians don’t open their hearts and minds to take in the milk and meat of God’s Word—the spiritual food He gives to strengthen His children?”

“You’re saying I need to read my Bible, aren’t you?” Cora sighed. “I know I should do that, but it’s really hard sometimes. I’m busy with homework and sports and stuff.”

Grandpa put his arm around Cora’s shoulders. “I know it can be hard, but remember that Jesus feeds us spiritually through His Word. He uses it to strengthen our faith in Him and help us grow as Christians. He does that when we read it on our own and when we learn about it with others, like we do at church.”

Cora nodded. “I do learn a lot from the Bible at church, but I’d like to start reading it on my own too. I want to be more like those robins and open wide.”

-Carolyn E. Yost

How About You?

Are you opening wide to take in the spiritual food Jesus wants to give you? Do you read your Bible and listen carefully when you hear it taught at church? Jesus has lots of good food for you in His Word, the Bible—promises, lessons, encouragement, warnings, and much more. Listen to what He has to say to you. He will use the truth of His Word to give you strength and help you grow.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 81:10 (NKJV) I am the Lord your God…Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Today’s Key Thought:

Learn all you can from God’s Word