Bible Reading: Luke 2:41-52

Josiah looked at the craft he’d made in Sunday school. It was a box covered in construction paper that said “Jesus loves you, and He’ll always take care of you” on the top. Josiah sighed. Those words didn’t make him feel especially happy. I already have too many people taking care of me, he thought. Between his parents and his two older sisters, it seemed like someone was always concerned about him or telling him what to do. And now Jesus was watching over him too.

“Hi, Josiah,” his sister Miriam said when he came out of his class. “Abigail and I will walk you to the car.” After Josiah put on his coat, Miriam made sure it was zipped all the way to his chin. “It’s cold outside, and we don’t want you getting sick!” she said.

“You’d better wear your gloves too,” said Abigail. “Here, I’ll help you.”

She took one of Josiah’s gloves and was about to put it on his hand when he grabbed it from her. “I got it,” he said, hoping no one from his class was watching.

When they reached the car, Abigail opened the door so Josiah could climb into the back seat.

“All set?” asked Dad as he started the car. “Did you all enjoy Sunday school and youth group?”

“Yeah,” said Josiah. “I made this.” He handed the box to his mother.

“Jesus loves you, and He’ll always take care of you,” Mom read. “That’s something I need to remember.”

“Jesus is taking care of you too?” asked Josiah in surprise.

Mom nodded. “Jesus promises to take care of all those who trust in Him, no matter how old we are.”

“Oh. Well, I have too many people taking care of me!” Josiah replied with a frown.

Dad smiled. “It must seem like a lot of people are always telling you what to do, but we all do that because we love you. One way Jesus takes care of us is by giving us a family so we can care for one another.”

Josiah turned the idea over in his mind. So Jesus uses Mom and Dad and my sisters to take care of me, he thought. I guess having so many people watching out for me is a good thing after all!

–Agnes Kempton

How About You?
Are you grateful for your family? Not all families look the same, but God provides people in your life to love and care for you because He loves and cares for you. Even Jesus had a family who showed love and concern for Him when He was on earth. Think of all the people God has put in your life to help take care of you and thank Him for each one of them.

Today’s Key Verse:
The Lord is the One Who goes before you. He will be with you. He will be faithful to you and will not leave you alone. (NLV) (Deuteronomy 31:8 )

Today’s Key Thought:
Thank God for your family