Bible Reading: Isaiah 41:10-13; Romans 8:38-39

Jace’s favorite toy store was closing. He stared at the sign out front and fought back tears. He loved coming here.

His grandpa used to take him every year at Christmastime when he was alive, and they would spend hours looking at all the toys before Jace would finally pick his favorite.

For the past couple of years, Jace had been saving up some of his own money for the cool toys he found in the store. But now, in just a few weeks, it wouldn’t be there anymore.

“I don’t want the store to close,” Jace said to his mom as they walked slowly through the quiet mall. There didn’t seem to be many stores left in there. Jace missed when it used to be more crowded and busy.

“I know.” Mom put her arm around him. “It’s a special place to you. It’s hard to say goodbye to something like that.”

“Everything changes so much.” Jace blinked back tears. “First Grandpa died. Then Grandma sold their house. Now the toy store isn’t even going to be around.”

“Change is hard,” Mom said. “Especially big changes like you’ve had to go through recently. Life can be difficult sometimes.”

Jace glanced at an empty store and sighed. “Nothing ever stays the same.”

“Not much does, but one thing is always the same.” Mom squeezed his shoulder.

Jace looked at her. “What?”

“Jesus. He’s the same today, yesterday, tomorrow, and forever. The Bible tells us that,” Mom said. “His love for you is always the same. No matter what changes around you, He is always beside you.”

Jace took a moment to consider that as they stepped outside the mall. Jesus had been with him when his grandpa died. He had felt comforted knowing that then. “He’ll always be there, no matter what I face?” Jace asked.

Mom nodded. “Always. Through the hard things and good, Jesus is always with you. He died and rose again so you could spend eternity with Him, and nothing can ever separate you from His love. It’s always the same.”

Jace felt better thinking about that, even though he was still really going to miss the toy store and all the memories it held.

–Bethany Acker

How About You?
Are you facing big changes in your life? Do they make you feel sad or afraid? Even though change is a normal part of life, it can be very difficult. But Jesus never changes–His love for you is always the same, and He promises to be with you in difficult times. When changes happen in your life, take comfort in knowing that He will always be with you and stay the same.

Today’s Key Verse:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (NIV) (Hebrews 13:8)

Today’s Key Thought:
Jesus doesn’t change