Mr. and Mrs. Brown are kind people who live in a quiet and peaceful country area. Recently the Browns were hearing some strange noises, sometimes during the day and sometimes at night. The noises seemed to be coming from the adjoining building. Mr. Brown found the noises annoying, so one day he decided to see what he could do about it. What he found was quite a surprise!
Mr. Brown discovered there was another family living on the farm. Not only were they making a lot of noise, but they were also making a terrible mess! He found a family of raccoons living in a nest in the building’s loft. The Browns decided the unwelcome guests would have to be moved away.
Mr. Brown found a large cardboard box, and, one by one, the four babies were gently placed into it. The mother stood her ground nearby, but she did not attack Mr. Brown. She closely watched what was happening to her babies. Mr. Brown carried the box with the babies in it over to the nearby woods. The mother raccoon followed him. She seemed to sense that she could no longer live in the loft. When they reached a nice wooded area, Mr. Brown let the babies go, and the mother came over to rescue her family.
The Lord Jesus watches over these little animals and birds and sees if even a sparrow falls to the ground. Matthew 10:31 tells us, “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” That means that boys and girls, and grown-ups too, are worth a whole lot more to Him. He loves boys and girls so much He died for them. And He knows what is happening to them at every moment.
Boys and girls often have to go through changes in their lives. Like the raccoon family, it might be moving to a different home and neighborhood. Or it could be changing to a different school. Sometimes it is an illness that means an unpleasant trip to a hospital. And some boys and girls go through the sadness of losing a member of their family. All of these changes make us feel sad. Some may be just a little sad, but some are very sad or even scary. But we know that Jesus cares and loves each one of us, and He will help us through these sad times. He has promised to always be with us, in the good times and in the sad: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.... We may boldly say, The Lord is my helper” (Hebrews 13:5-6). “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee” (Psalm 56:3).
Will you let Jesus be your helper all the time, but especially when you are sad or afraid?
ML-07/12/2015