Summary: Luke was worried. He and his family had been living in their new home a whole week, but he still hadn't seen any kids in the neighborhood. Luke had moved away from good friends, and he was beginning to think he would never find new ones here. "Pray about it," said Dad when Luke told him his problem. "Pray about it," said Mom when Luke told her about it. "Pray about it," said his older sister when Luke looked sad. So Luke prayed. He asked God to send him a friend--someone he would like as much as he liked his old friends, especially Aiden and Todd. He sure missed them since he moved. The next morning the doorbell rang. "It's for you, Luke," Mom called up to his room. "Someone's here to see you." Luke bounded down the stairs. There at the front door stood . . . a girl! She had blond curls and freckles, and she wore a blue baseball cap. "Hi," she said. "My name is Toby, and I live right behind you. I was hoping someone with kids would move into your house, but I didn't see you outside until yesterday. There aren't many kids around here, so I hope we can be friends. Hey, do you collect baseball cards?" "Yes . . . yes, I do," stammered Luke. "Do . . . ah . . . do you want to see them?" "Yeah!" exclaimed Toby, and they spent an hour looking at cards and talking baseball. "I have a tree house in my back yard," said Toby. "Come over after lunch, and I'll show it to you." After Toby left, Luke turned to his mom and shook his head. "I asked God for a friend, but I didn't think He'd send a girl!" "Sometimes God says no to our prayers," said Mom. "Sometimes He says wait, sometimes he says yes, but sometimes . . ." Mom hesitated, then she chuckled. "Sometimes He gives us a surprise." "That's true!" Luke laughed. "Can we eat soon so I can go see Toby's tree house?" "Sure!" agreed Mom. "I met her parents yesterday, and I think that will be fine. Go wash up now. Lunch is as good as ready." How About You? Has God given you any surprises lately in answer to your prayers? You may want Him to answer in a particular way, but remember--God always knows what's best for you. You can trust Him to answer in the way that's exactly right. It may not be in the way you expected or hoped, but it will be right for you. What a good God you have! Today's Key Verse: In the day when I cried out, You answered me. (Psalm 138:3) Today's Key Thought: God answers prayer
