Summary: Ellen rubbed her stomach as she eyed the cake her mother had just frosted. "Christy and I sure are hungry!" said Ellen. Her friend Christy had come to spend the night, and the girls were looking for an after-school snack. Mom laughed. "Help yourself," she invited. As the girls began to eat their cake, Ellen looked at Christy in surprise. "Christy, are you just going to eat the frosting?" asked Ellen. "The cake is yummy--I think it's the best part! It's a special cake Mom makes with nuts and chocolate chunks in it. I like it even better than the frosting!" "The frosting is all I ever eat," Christy replied. She glanced at Ellen's mother. "I guess I shouldn't have taken a piece. I hope you don't mind too much," added Christy. "Well," said Mom, "dinner won't be ready for a while, and I'm afraid you won't find the frosting very satisfying. Like Ellen says, you're really leaving the best part. Why don't you take one taste and see if you like it?" Christy wrinkled her nose, but she took a tiny bite. "It is good!" she said in surprise. "I think I'll eat the rest." That evening the girls were in the middle of a game when Dad called them for family devotions. "Can we just read the story in the devotional book tonight and skip the rest so we have time to finish our game?" suggested Ellen. Dad frowned. "Skip the Bible reading and prayer?" he asked. "Well, just this once," Ellen murmured. "That would be like eating the frosting and leaving the cake, wouldn't it?" asked Mom. "We'd be missing the best part. If we don't have time for both the Scripture and the story, we had better read the Scripture." "I . . . I see what you mean," Ellen admitted. She grinned. "Okay, let's just gobble up the whole thing. It's all good!" How About You? Have you read the suggested Scripture passage for today? Are you tempted to skip the Bible reading and read only the story in Keys for Kids? Don't skip the Scripture. It's the most important part of this devotional. Also, memorizing the Key Verse is a good idea. It will help jog your memory about the story's lesson. Devour both the story and the Scripture verses, and enjoy every bite. Today's Key Verse: I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure. (Psalm 119:162) Today's Key Thought: Don't skip Bible reading
