Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids and families

Read: Proverbs 15:1-4; James 1:19-21, 26

Gemma looked in horror as her chocolate milkshake began to spread over the table. “Why can’t you leave my stuff alone, Elle?” she yelled at her sister.

“I didn’t mean to spill it,” said Elle. Her lower lip was trembling. “I just wanted a taste.”

Mom unrolled some paper towels and took them to the table.

“No, wait,” Gemma said. “I want to drink it! We’ve got to put it back in the cup.”

“I don’t see how you can do that,” said Mom.

Gemma grabbed a spoon and tried to scoop up the creamy drink, but it was no use. “I bought this with my own money!” she said angrily.

“I’m sorry,” Elle said.

“Well, you should have just kept your little hands to yourself,” Gemma shot back. “You’re going to buy me another milkshake the next time we’re at the mall.”

“But I don’t have that much money,” Elle said, tears springing to her eyes.

“Then save up,” Gemma said. She glared at Elle. “I wish I didn’t have a little sister.”

“You can go play, Elle,” said Mom, “but after this, leave Gemma’s things alone.” After Elle left, Mom turned to Gemma. “Elle shouldn’t have touched your milkshake, but that’s no excuse for saying unkind things to her.”

Gemma looked up from wiping the table. “Why are you lecturing me? She’s the one who messed with my stuff!”

Mom frowned. “Gemma, hearing you say you wish you didn’t have a sister hurt her much more than the spilled milkshake hurt you.”

“Well, I was mad,” Gemma said. “I didn’t mean it.”

“We can be angry and still watch what we say,” Mom replied. “When we don’t, words can spill out and make a bigger mess than that drink did. And taking those words back is just as impossible as putting a milkshake back in a cup. You can never take them back—the damage can only be repaired with forgiveness.”

Gemma sighed as she threw the wet paper towels in the trash. “I’ll go apologize to Elle.”

“Good,” said Mom. “And you can ask Jesus to forgive you too. He promises He will, and He’ll help you respond to others in a loving way, even when you feel angry.”

–Debra W. Smith

How about you? Are you careful to not say angry, thoughtless words? Sometimes it’s hard not to let them spill out, but once they’re said, it’s impossible to take them back. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to make things right. When your words have hurt someone, ask for forgiveness—both from Jesus and the person you hurt. Then trust Jesus to help you control your tongue in the future.

Today’s key verse: Let the words of my mouth…be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord. Psalm 19:14 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: Control your tongue

Read: Matthew 5:13-16

“What are you doing, Auntie Laura?” Deb clambered onto the stool for a better look at the lemon her aunt was grating. “You said you’d make blueberry muffins…but you’re putting in lemon peel?” Deb grimaced.

“It’s my secret ingredient,” replied Aunt Laura, tapping strands of lemon skin into the batter.

Deb’s grimace remained stamped on her face. “But no one eats lemon peels.”

Aunt Laura chuckled. “No, not right off the fruit.” She measured the salt, saying, “No one eats salt from a teaspoon either.”

Deb giggled. “That would be gross!”

Aunt Laura whisked the batter. “The lemon rind and the salt are both seasonings that add flavor so the muffins will taste better.”

“I don’t understand how that works,” said Deb. She leaned her arms on the counter. “I also don’t understand what Jesus meant about people being the salt of the earth.”

“People can act like salt!” replied Aunt Laura, wiping her hands on her apron. “As followers of Jesus, we can trust Him to help us blend His truth and love into what we say and what we do.” She scooped batter into the muffin tins. “If we do that, then we’re adding the extra ingredient of faith to our words and actions. In a way, we’re ‘seasoning’ them with God’s goodness.”

“I get it!” exclaimed Deb. “If I say and do things that show I have faith in Jesus, then I’m adding flavor like salt does.” She hopped off the stool to open the oven door for Auntie Laura. “But how do I know if I’m doing it right?”

“That’s easy,” said her aunt, sliding the muffin tray into the oven. “When your words and actions line up with what God says in the Bible and the kindness and love Jesus has shown us, you leave a trail of blessings wherever you go!”

“I want to be a blessing,” said Deb. She headed to the sink and picked up a dishrag. She wiped away drops of spilled batter from the counter. “Does that add some flavor to your day?” asked Deb with a grin.

Aunt Laura hugged her and said, “Now that’s a blessing I can savor.”

–Elena Dee

How about you? Do your words and actions reveal your faith in Jesus? Do you “season” your day with conversations and acts that reflect the love He has shown you? Trust Him to guide you in what you say and what you do so others can see His truth, love, and goodness in your life. Can you think of some people you want to help? Show others your faith and be a blessing to them!

Today’s key verse: Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Be a blessing

Read: Romans 12:4-8

Dallon grinned when he saw the mascot of his favorite baseball team coming toward them near the stadium entrance. “Look, Alli!” he said.

But Dallon’s excitement turned to anger when the mascot gave him a high five but didn’t even acknowledge Alli. “Hey,” he called after him, “you didn’t talk to my sister!”

His aunt touched his arm. “Let’s go inside.”

Dallon and his aunt walked toward the stadium, his mom pushing his sister’s chair in front of them. “That was so rude,” said Dallon. “Alli loves him. That’s why Mom brought us to the game today. How could he just go past her like that? It’s like he didn’t even see her.”

“He doesn’t know your sister like you do,” his aunt said. “He didn’t realize she was interested in him.”

“She was moving around like she does when she’s excited,” Dallon said. “If she could talk, she would have been yelling out to him.”

“He didn’t know the way she was moving meant she was excited. You knew that because you know your sister; that makes you the perfect person to speak up for her.”

Dallon’s mom turned toward them, holding out their tickets. “We can all use our voices to speak up for Alli and those like her,” she said. “We know things others don’t because we’ve spent a lot of time with her. God can use us to change how others see her.”

“But we need to be patient,” Dallon’s aunt said. “We’ve had a lot of time to get to know Alli and all that makes her unique, but others haven’t. God has blessed us by putting her in our family, but others only spend a short amount of time with her.”

They made their way into the crowded stadium. “It’s great that you’re willing to speak up for your sister.”

Dallon’s aunt put an arm around his shoulders. “It shows the love you have for her, and it helps others see that God loves her too.”

Dallon looked around. He didn’t see a single person in a chair like Alli’s or who seemed similar to her. He nodded slowly. In Sunday school he had learned about the unique gifts God gave to different people that reflected Jesus’s love, and maybe speaking up for his sister was part of his.

–Emily Acker

How about you? Has God given you a gift that allows you to look out for others in a special way? Perhaps it’s speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves, or encouraging others when they’re feeling down, or being a friend to those who need one. God gives spiritual gifts to everyone who trusts in Jesus so we can reflect His love to others in our own unique way. Trust Him to help you use your gift to show others His love.

Today’s key verse: As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: Use your gift to help others

Read: Isaiah 40:28-31

Liam looked out the window of his friend Michael’s house as they finished their lunch. “Look at those trees,” he said. “They’re bending over from the wind.”

“So were we, a few minutes ago,” said Michael.

“It’s too hard to play ball with this much wind. I’m tired. We’ll have to think of something to do inside.” Liam pulled a movie out of his backpack.

Michael’s mom took their plates. “I’m sorry, Liam, but I promised your mother you’d play outside, not watch movies. I’m sure you boys can think of something to do.”

“I know!” said Michael. “You brought your rollerblades, right? I have an idea.”

The boys put on their skates, and Michael pulled four snow shovels from the shed and handed two to Liam.

“Are you crazy?” Liam asked, giving his friend a fake punch. “It’s hot out, not snowing!”

Michael smiled. “Just wait and see.” They stumped around the house to the driveway. “Hold up your shovels like this,” Michael said. He held his shovels high. A blast of wind whooshed, and Michael skimmed along the drive and onto the sidewalk. “Come on, Liam!” he shouted.

Liam held his shovels up, but nothing happened. Grumbling, he bent and struggled against the wind to where Michael stood. Just as he got there, panting, another gust sent Michael soaring. He made a wide circle and swooped over to Liam.

“Are there wings on your rollerblades or what?” Liam demanded. “You took off like a huge bird!”

“That’s what gave me the idea! In church we talked about how even kids get tired and how God gives us wings like eagles. Wings made me think of using snow shovels to catch the wind. The trick is to hold them up in the right direction so the wind does the work.”

Mom walked over carrying knee pads. “That’s what Jesus does for us,” she said. “He did all the work of saving us by dying for our sin, and He gives us strength when we grow tired. When we feel worn out from trying to do things on our own, we need to depend on Him for strength and trust Him to lead us in the right direction.”

“Cool. Thanks, Mom. Let’s go!” The boys put on their knee pads and sailed off.

–Robin Steinweg

How about you? Do you feel tired and worn out? Are there problems in your life you’re trying to fix on your own? Life can be difficult sometimes, but remember that if you trust in Jesus, He’s always with you. He is strong enough to save you from sin, and He promises to give you strength when you face hard times. Trust Him to help you through difficulties and lead you in the right direction.

Today’s key verse: Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (CSB)

Today’s key thought: Jesus gives you strength

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 John 1:8-9

Millee grunted as she helped her aunt lift the heavy dog into the tub. Titan was a giant, and it took both her and Aunt Jodie to pick him up.

Millee turned on the handheld sprayer while her aunt mixed the soaps. Aunt Jodie was a dog groomer, and a few times a year Millee would bring her long-haired dog over to Aunt Jodie’s house for a good bath and a brush.

“He’s extra gross today,” Millee warned her aunt. “He really loves rolling around in the dirt.”

Her aunt smiled as she applied a generous amount of shampoo to the dog’s long coat. “I see we have a lot of mats to work out today too,” she said, running her fingers over the thick chunks of fur around Titan’s ears, neck, and belly. “We’ve got our work cut out for us today.”

The two worked in silence for a while, scrubbing the dog’s fur and rinsing his thick coat. Then they wrapped him in a big towel, carried him to the grooming table, and kept working. Aunt Jodie ran the blow dryer while Millee struggled with the dog brush.

By the time Aunt Jodie was finished, Titan’s fur looked extra fluffy. “I always love getting the big, hairy, matted dogs to work on,” she said.

Millee looked at her in surprise. “You do? But aren’t they more work to groom?”

Aunt Jodie nodded. “Oh yes, but they’re the most fun. They have the most remarkable transformations. And they’re always the ones that make me think about the Lord.”

Millee’s eyebrows scrunched together. “What? How do shaggy dogs make you think about the Lord?”

Aunt Jodie picked up another brush and helped Millee work out the tangles. “When I’m cleaning and grooming a particularly shaggy and dirty dog, I’m reminded of what Jesus does for me. Because He died for my sins on the cross, I’ve been made clean and declared righteous, which means I’m faultless in God’s eyes. And day by day He is also washing me, cleansing me, and transforming me more into His likeness.”

Millee smiled. “And that’s an even bigger transformation than we’re giving to Titan.”

Aunt Jodie nodded. “It sure is.”

–Emily Tenter

How about you? Have you been washed and cleansed by Jesus? If you’ve trusted Him as your Savior, He has washed your sin away and made you right with God. And day by day, as He forgives your wrongs and helps you love others and turn from sin, He is making you more like Him. It’s quite a transformation! If you haven’t yet trusted in Him, you can have a clean heart and new life today. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today’s key verse: For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Jesus transforms us