This Old Planet

Bible Reading: Psalm 89:8, 11-13

Journey and Brynn ran to the garage where their dad was working “Mom says we’re going to have a picnic at the park!” said Journey. “Can we go soon?”

“We want to have time to play on the swings before we eat!” added Brynn.

“Okay,” said Dad, “but before we go, I need to sweep out the garage and wash the car.”

“The car isn’t very dirty,” said Brynn. “And why bother anyway? It’s old.”

“You’re right. It is old,” Dad replied, “but it’s the only car we have—and God calls us to be good stewards of all we’ve been given. You can help. Then it will get done quicker.”

The girls reluctantly got busy. Journey swept the garage while Brynn got out sponges and Dad pulled out the hose. They washed and polished the car until it shone brightly. “There!” Dad said. “It looks almost as good as new.”

Journey nodded. “Can we go now?” she asked.

“If Mom’s got the food ready, we can,” said Dad. Soon they were on their way.

At the park, Dad pushed Journey and Brynn on the swings, and the girls also had fun on the slides and other playground equipment. Then he called for them to come and eat.

“It’s so beautiful here,” Mom said as they ate. “The trees and the sky and the flowers are so pretty.”

When they had finished eating, Journey and Brynn carried the trash to a garbage can. “Thanks, kids,” Dad said when they got back. “Though I see some of the stuff fell on the ground when you were walking over and you left it. That’s no way to treat this old planet! Go back and pick it up.”

“Old planet?” asked Journey.

Dad nodded. “Like I said about our old car, this old planet is the only one we have to live on, and God wants us to take good care of it. This may be an old planet, but it’s also a wonderful, amazing, beautiful planet. We should do all we can to keep it that way.”

“Okay, Dad,” Brynn said, and the girls hurried back to pick up their trash. – Daryl B. Knauer

How About You?

Do you do all you can to take care of this old planet? God gave you this beautiful world to be your earthly home, and He wants you to do your part in keeping it that way. Caring for things in nature, recycling, and putting trash in garbage cans are all ways you can do that. Think of some other simple things you can do to help keep God’s creation clean and beautiful.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 24:1 (NIV) The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

Today’s Key Thought:

Take care of God’s earth