Summary: "I wonder why Ethan hasn't come--or called," said Jake as he looked at the model plane he was putting together. "Ethan was supposed to help me finish my plane this morning." "Maybe his mom or dad needed him to help at home," said Mom. "Maybe," Jake replied, "but Ethan said he'd call if he couldn't come. It's almost noon, and he still hasn't shown up or called." "Well, why don't you see if he can come this afternoon instead?" suggested Mom. "Maybe that will work out better." "Okay. I'll see," said Jake. He put the model down and went to call Ethan from the phone in the kitchen. When Jake picked up the phone, he heard his sister's voice as she talked with one of her friends. He scowled as he replaced the receiver. "Nicole's on the phone, and she's probably been talking all morning!" he exclaimed. "If Ethan's been trying to call, he's been getting a busy signal!" Jake reached for the phone again. "I'm going to tell her to get off the line." "Hold on," said Mom. "I'll talk to her in a minute. I know Nicole had to make several calls today, so like you said, maybe Ethan couldn't get through to you because the line was busy." Mom was thoughtful. "That busy signal reminds me of my Bible study group this week," she added. "A question in our workbook was, 'How often do you think the Lord gets a busy signal when He wants to get through to us?'" Jake shrugged. "What does that mean?" "Well, sometimes we don't hear the things God wants us to hear because we're too busy with other things," explained Mom. "For example, the women in my study group--including me--might think we have so much housework or cooking or knitting that we don't have time to read the Bible or visit shut-ins or serve God in other ways." Mom smiled at Jake. "What do kids like you do that sends a busy signal to God?" "Well, ah . . . we have homework and music practice and football games," replied Jake. "Oh! And model planes!" He grinned. "I'll check and see when Ethan can come over, but I better learn my memory verse for Bible club before I finish working on my plane." How About You? Do you send God busy signals? He wants to communicate with you through His Word. He wants you to talk with Him in prayer. Your daily activities are important, but don't let them keep you from spending time with God and learning things taught in the Bible. Read it, think about it, memorize it, and act upon it. You'll find it helps you as you go about all your other activities. Today's Key Verse: I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. (Psalm 119:16) Today's Key Thought: Don't send God busy signals
