Summary: "My whole life is ruined!" Sara said as she went out to the back patio. where her father was watering plants. "Everything is going so-o-o wrong. I failed the test that I studied so hard for, and my best friend is mad at me." Sara frowned. "I don't even think God loves me!" "Oh, honey, you know He loves you very much," said Dad as he began to water a large plant. Sara shrugged. "Why are you watering that one?" she asked. "It's going to die soon, isn't it? Look at the buds--they look all wilted." "This is an amaryllis. The buds don't look good now, but the flowers will be beautiful,"Dad assured her. "You'll see." "You mean those wilted buds will really turn into pretty flowers?" Sara asked. "Yes," said Dad, "and you know what, honey? Just like these buds look ugly to you now, your life doesn't feel good to you. But Jesus loves you, Sara, and He knows that you sometimes have to go through tough times so you can grow and become a stronger Christian. Trust God. He has good plans for you." "I hope you're right," said Sara. Day by day, Sara watched the amaryllis buds. She smiled as she saw them changing. They reminded her of Dad's words and of her need to trust God. When Sara came home from school with exciting news one day, she again found Dad on the patio. "Oh look at the flowers!" exclaimed Sara as she joined him. She gazed at the miracle--four dark pink flowers had come out of one small bud. The beauty was breathtaking. "Wow! They're beautiful!" Sara said in awe. "Yep. They've all come out and are in full bloom," said Dad. "God's ways are always best. Have you found that to be true in your life, too?" "Yeah," replied Sara. "I knew I had been mean to Emma, and today God helped me tell her I was sorry. She forgave me and we're friends again. She said she'd help me study for my next test. God sure planned everything perfectly." "Great!" said Dad. "Always trust God no matter how things look." He turned to go in the house. "Wait here," he added, then went to get the camera so he could take a picture of his daughter next to the beautiful flowers. How About You? Do you feel like everything is going wrong? Does it feel like God doesn't care? He really does care. God cares so much that He has plans for you. But He knows that there are times when it's good for you to go through difficulties and testing to become the person He wants you to be. When you do something wrong, confess it and ask God to help you correct it. When troubles come, trust Him to use those hard times to bring you closer to Him, knowing that His way is best. Today's Key Verse: The Lord will do great things. (Joel 2:21) Today's Key Thought: God's way is best
