Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids Keys For Kids Ministries

"What a great day!" Colby told his dad as they said goodbye to their friends at the park. They'd joined other families to hang out and have fun. Colby's two best friends, Asher and Arlo, had been there too. As Colby and his father turned toward the sidewalk, they spotted an ice cream truck parked there.
"Please, Dad!" Colby cried. "Just this once!"
Dad smiled. "Sure, just this once." He handed Colby some money.
Colby rushed to the truck and requested his favorite sweet treat--the strawberry shortcake bar. He eagerly unwrapped it and took a bite as the ice cream truck drove away. Just then, Colby tripped on a curb. The delicious dessert fell from his grasp, landing in the dirt. "No!" Colby yelled. He knew it could not be rescued and began to cry.
"I'm sorry, buddy. I wish I could buy you another one, but the truck just left." Dad hugged Colby and then picked up the filthy shortcake bar and tossed it in the trash.
Walking home, Colby said, "Dad, I had fun today until I dropped my ice cream. That spoiled my whole day."
"I know the ruined ice cream bar was a disappointment, but did it really wreck your entire day?"
"Maybe," Colby replied.
"Colby, remember last summer when you trusted Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior?" Dad asked. Colby nodded. "Well, now you are God's child, and do you know what He wants for His children?"
"What, Dad?"
"He wants us to be grateful. He tells us to be thankful in all situations."
"I am not thankful I dropped my ice cream!" Colby announced.
"You don't have to be, buddy. God tells us to be grateful in all things--not for all things. When we remember that Jesus saved us and promises us eternal life, we can be thankful for the joy and hope we have in Him, even when bad things happen. And we can thank Him for the good things in our lives too. Can you think of anything from today that you would like to thank God for?"
"Yes! My friends, Asher and Arlo; the kickball game at the park; and one more thing, Dad."
"What's that?"
"I'm thankful we have more ice cream at home!"
–Allison Wilson Lee

Plink! Plink! Plink! One by one, Abbie slowly picked out the notes of the music for her piano recital. This is so hard, she thought. I'm not sure I'll ever get it good enough to play in front of a bunch of people! Abbie struggled on for a few minutes, then tossed the music book on the floor and began to play a song from memory. This is much more fun, she told herself.
Later that day, Abbie helped Mom plant seeds in the garden. "You always have such pretty flowers, Mom," said Abbie. "Grandma says you have a green thumb--whatever that means."
Mom laughed. "She means I have a talent for growing plants. That may be true, but I have to do a lot of work too. Thomas Edison, the great inventor, once said, 'Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.' I think he's right."
"You do work hard in the yard--and you make me work hard too!" Abbie teased. "I don't mind gardening, but I don't have a green thumb like you do."
"What do you like to do?" asked Mom. "What are you good at?"
"Hmm." Abbie thought for a moment. "Playing the piano!" Then she frowned. "But I'm already tired of practicing my recital piece. I wish I didn't have to practice so much."
"So I guess music is your green thumb area," said Mom. "You definitely have a talent for playing the piano. But if you want to develop that into something worthwhile, you'll have to work hard at it--just like I have to work hard at gardening even though I have a green thumb. But I know you can do it. God is the one who gave us our talents, and He will help us work to develop them so we can share our gifts with others and point them to Jesus."
Abbie grinned. "But I don't think it's fair--I can help you in the garden, but you can't help me play the piano."
"That's true," said Mom. "But I'll tell you what. When we're done here, I'll use another one of my talents while I listen to you rehearse your piece--I'll work on sewing your dress for the recital. How about that?" Abbie smiled and nodded.
– Mary Rose Pearson

"Hey, Dad!" Eleanor said as she bounced into the den. "What are you doing?"
Dad looked up from the papers on his desk and smiled at Eleanor. "Just going through some paperwork. How was school?"
"All right," Eleanor replied. "I got a B on my science test today." She paused, and after a moment, frowned. "Is your paperwork for that insurance stuff you were talking about with Mom? I overheard you talking about it when I was studying yesterday, but I don't understand what it means."
Dad shifted in his chair. "It's called life insurance," he began. "If something happened to me and I died, Mom would need money to pay for my funeral and to take care of you. She wouldn't be able to pay for all that herself. But with life insurance, the insurance company helps pay for everything."
"Oh," Eleanor said, turning the idea over in her mind. Suddenly, a thought struck her. "Are you getting this insurance because you're sick?" she asked. "I don't want you to die--we'd never be together again!"
"It's all right, Eleanor, I'm not sick," Dad said, giving her a hug. "But even if I did die, it doesn't mean you'd never see me again. Life insurance can only help pay for things on earth when someone dies, but I have the assurance of eternal life with Jesus, who paid a much greater cost--He died to pay the price of my sin. Because I trust in Him, I know that I'll go to heaven to be with Him when I die, and one day He will raise me from the dead! No life insurance company could ever promise anything as good as that," Dad said, pointing to the papers on his desk. "Do you have the assurance of eternal life too, Eleanor? Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior? If so, then you and I will be together with Him forever."
"I've heard a lot about trusting in Jesus at church, but I--I guess not," Eleanor stammered. "Will you help me pray so I can tell Him I want to do
that now, Dad?"
"Absolutely," Dad replied, and they both bowed their heads.
– Ethan Denny

As Jeremiah looked out the window at the falling rain, he felt like his life was as dismal as the day. Dad left home, and we don't even know where he is, he thought. Now Mom is sick, and it's up to me to look after her and my two little sisters. But how can I do all that plus run my lawnmowing business and go to school? I sure can't do it all alone.
Just then the city bus pulled up to the corner and an elderly woman got off. It was Granny Gresham, a nearby neighbor, and she had a big suitcase. The wind was so strong that Granny could scarcely take a step forward. Jeremiah hurried to pull on a raincoat and headed for the door. "I'm going to help Granny Gresham," he called to his mother. "She's out in the storm."
Jeremiah ran over to their neighbor and took the suitcase for her. When they finally reached her home, she turned to him gratefully. "What would I have done without your help?" She smiled. "How about a cup of hot cocoa?"
"Thanks, but I have to hurry home," replied Jeremiah. "Mom's sick."
"Oh, that's too bad," said Granny. "Now just remember that you don't have to face your problems alone, Jeremiah. I know you love the Lord, so don't forget that He's always with you, ready to take your burdens. The Bible tells us that Jesus is a Savior who empathizes with our struggles because He knows what it's like to live in this difficult world. Tell Him all about what you're going through and trust Him for help."
As Jeremiah hurried home, he thought about Granny's words. Jesus, he prayed silently, I feel like I have more stuff to take care of than I can handle, so thank You for having Granny remind me that You're with me all the time. Please show me how I can help Mom and take care of my sisters along with school and everything else.
That night, the phone rang. It was Granny. "Will you carry my suitcase once more?" she asked. "I'm coming to your house to help out until your mom is well."
Jeremiah grinned. Thank You, Jesus, he prayed after Granny hung up. Thank You for helping me.
– Mary Rose Pearson

Stroking the hen's feathers, Rowan grinned as the chicks tugged at his pants, then scuttled under their mother. "Hi, girls." His sisters Opal and Sylvie joined him, peering under the hen at the chicks, but they knew better than to touch.
"They're so cute!" Five-year-old Rosalind tried to grab a chick, but the chick's mother puffed up and jumped at her defensively.
"Rosie, you have to be gentle, or else Luna will do that again," Mom said as she walked up and peeled off her gardening gloves. "She's a very protective mother, you know."
The chicks at last were allowed to wander out, but when the dog, Arabella, came bounding up, the chicks--Stella, Sunshine, Nova, and Aurora--scurried to take cover under Luna's outspread wings.
Rowan hopped up and grabbed Arabella's collar. "Whoa there, girl. You can't do that. See, you've frightened them." Arabella whined apologetically.
"You know," Sylvie said slowly, "this reminds me of a verse I read this morning."
"What?" Opal cocked her head.
Mom smiled. "Let me guess. 'People take refuge in the shadow of your wings'?"
"Exactly!" Sylvie laughed. "How did you know?"
"We're all reading the Psalms." Mom shrugged. "That was in the one for today."
"What does that mean?" Rosalind wanted to know.
"Think of it this way. When the chicks are afraid, where do they go?"
"Under Luna," Rowan replied promptly.
"Why?"
"Because they like her?" Rosalind guessed.
"Not exactly." Mom smoothed Rosalind's hair. "They go there because they are safe there. Arabella can't reach them there because Luna will protect them. And they know that, by instinct. It's a little like that with us and God. Sometimes we're afraid, or worried, or we feel alone. But like those little chicks, we can take shelter under God's wings. And He is able to protect us far more than Luna could ever protect her chicks. Jesus defeated sin and death to save us, and He promises to always be with us and take care of us."
"So even though Mimi and Papa are sick, and there's a war going on, and we're sometimes so scared we don't know what to do, we can always run to God." Rowan smiled. "Just like Luna's chicks run to her."
– Ellie Shirk

"Did you see my hit, Dad?" Caden asked as he climbed into the pick-up. "My first of the season!"
Dad nodded. "You know, it could have been a double if you had stepped into the swing."
"I know, but..." Caden quieted.
Mom opened the front door as they drove up to the house. "How was the game, guys?"
"I got a hit," said Caden softly as Dad shuffled away to weed the flower beds.
"Great!" said Mom. "I'm sorry I couldn't be--" But Caden was already inside. He surveyed the kitchen for a snack as Mom followed him into the room.
"I tried a new cookie recipe today." Mom held out a plate and Caden took one. "A perfect way to celebrate your hit." Caden didn't respond. "Did something happen at the game, Caden? What's wrong?"
"Why can't Dad ever say 'good job'? It's just two words. Instead, he always points out what could be better."
"Dad is proud of you, Caden. I'm sure of it. He just forgets how important it is to say it. Maybe you should talk to him about it and tell him how you feel."
"I guess." Caden bit into his cookie. "Hey, Mom, these cookies are a little burnt."
Just then Caden's sister Emily bounded into the kitchen. "I did it! I finally finished the scarf I've been knitting." She held it up for them to see.
Caden glanced at it and frowned. "Aren't scarves supposed to be longer than that?"
Emily glared at him and then walked back to her room.
"What did I say?" asked Caden.
Mom touched his shoulder. "What was it again you wished Dad would have said after the game?"
"Good job. Just two simple words, 'Good--'" Caden stopped. "Oh."
Mom lifted her eyebrows. "Mmm hmm. Sometimes we all just need a little encouragement, don't we? None of us is perfect, but we're still loved--God loves us so much He sent Jesus to die for our sins! And He wants us to remind others that we love them too by acknowledging their accomplishments and encouraging them."
"I'll go find Emily," Caden said. "Looks like Dad and I could work on this together." Caden left the room, but quickly returned. "Hey, Mom? Good job on those cookies."
Mom smiled. "Thanks, Caden. That's just what I needed to hear."
– Kelly Carlson