Surprise!

Bible Reading: Psalm 86:1-7

Tucker was worried. He and his family had been living in their new home a whole week, but he still hadn’t seen any kids in the neighborhood. Tucker had moved away from good friends, and he was beginning to think he would never find new ones here.

“Pray about it,” said Dad when Tucker told him his problem.

“Pray about it,” said Mom when Tucker asked her about it.

“Pray about it,” said his older sister when Tucker looked sad.

So Tucker prayed. He asked God to send him a friend—someone he would like as much as he liked his old friends, especially Aiden and Colin. He sure missed them since he moved.

The next morning the doorbell rang. “It’s for you, Tucker,” Mom called up to his room. “Someone’s here to see you.”

Tucker bounded down the stairs. There at the front door stood…a girl! She had blond curls and freckles, and she wore a blue headband. “Hi,” she said. “My name is Rylee, and I live right behind you. I was hoping someone with kids would move into your house, but I didn’t see you outside until yesterday. There aren’t many kids around here, so I hope we can be friends. Hey, do you like superheroes?”

“Uh…yeah, I do,” stammered Tucker. “I have lots of action figures. Do you want to see them?”

“Yeah!” exclaimed Rylee, and they spent the next hour looking at action figures and talking superheroes.

“I have a tree house in my backyard,” said Rylee. “Come over after lunch, and I’ll show it to you.”

After Rylee left, Tucker turned to his mom and shook his head. “I asked God for a friend, but I didn’t think He’d send a girl!”

“Sometimes God says no to our prayers,” said Mom. “Sometimes He says wait, sometimes He says yes, but sometimes…” Mom hesitated, then she chuckled. “Sometimes He gives us a surprise.”

“That’s true!” Tucker laughed. “Can I go see Rylee’s tree house after lunch?”

“Sure,” said Mom. “I met her parents yesterday, and I think that will be fine. Go wash up and you can help me get lunch ready.” • Carol Albrecht

How About You?

Has God given you any surprises lately in answer to your prayers? You may want Him to answer in a particular way, but remember—God always knows what’s best for you. You can trust Him to answer in the way that’s right, even if it’s not the way you expected or hoped. He loves you and promises to help you through every problem you face. What a good God you have!

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 138:3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

God answers prayer