A Beautiful Morning of Thanksgiving
Sunday morning arrived in Safari Forest, and the golden sunshine stretched across the trees.
Birds sang from the branches, butterflies danced above the flowers, and a gentle breeze moved through the tall green grass.
Beside a sparkling little stream, Ms. Rose had spread out a large picnic blanket.
On it sat a Bible, a basket of fruit, and five little cards decorated with colorful leaves.
One by one, the Kingdom Kids arrived.
Timmy came first, carrying a bunch of bananas.
“I brought breakfast!” he announced proudly.
Sophie bounced onto the grass.
“Wonderful! I brought enough energy for everybody!”
Ian looked up at the sky.
“And I predict we have approximately three hours of excellent picnic weather!”
Bleu fluttered above them.
“I brought a song!”
Ms. Rose laughed.
“Then it sounds like we have everything we need for a wonderful Sunday morning together.”
The Kingdom Kids gathered around her.
“Today,” Ms. Rose said, opening her Bible, “we're going to do something very special. We're going to thank God for what His Word has taught us this week.”
She held up the first leaf-covered card.
It read:
GOD'S WORD IS TRUTH!
“Timmy,” she said, “what did you learn?”
Timmy smiled.
“I learned that just because a thought comes into my mind doesn't mean I have to believe it. I can find out what God's Word says!”
Ms. Rose nodded.
“That's right. God's Word is the truth we can stand on.”
She held up the second card.
GOD HAS GIVEN ME A SOUND MIND!
Ian stretched his neck proudly.
“That's mine!”
He thought for a moment.
“I learned that I can examine my thoughts, think clearly, and make wise choices instead of believing everything I imagine.”
“Wonderful, Ian,” Ms. Rose replied.
The third card read:
GOD HAS GIVEN ME LOVE!
Sophie grinned.
“I learned that I can lead with kindness! I can listen to others and make sure everyone has a chance to shine.”
Timmy lifted his trunk.
“And she's getting really good at it!”
Sophie gave him a playful nudge.
“Thank you, Timmy!”
Ms. Rose held up the fourth card.
GOD HAS GIVEN ME POWER!
Bleu twirled happily.
“I learned that I can use my words to encourage others with God's truth! Even little words can make a big difference!”
“That's beautiful, Bleu,” Ms. Rose said.
Then she held up the final card.
It read:
I CAN LIVE GOD'S WORD!
All four Kingdom Kids leaned forward.
“This one belongs to everyone,” Ms. Rose explained.
“On Saturday, we practiced putting God's Word into action. We learned that knowing the truth is important, and living according to that truth is how we continue to grow.”
Timmy looked at the cards spread across the blanket.
“Ms. Rose, we've learned a LOT this week!”
“We certainly have,” she answered.
Ian looked thoughtful.
“But there's still so much more in the Bible for us to learn.”
Ms. Rose smiled.
“And that's one of the wonderful things about growing with God. We never have to stop learning His Word.”
She opened her Bible to 2 Timothy 1:7.
“Now, Kingdom Kids, let's say our Scripture together.”
Everyone stood beneath the trees.
Timmy lifted his trunk.
Ian stretched his neck tall.
Sophie stood proudly beside her friends.
Bleu fluttered just above their heads.
And together they declared:
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
When they finished, Ms. Rose looked at them lovingly.
“Remember, Kingdom Kids, your identity isn't determined by what someone calls you, how well you perform, or what you happen to feel in a moment.”
She placed her hand over her Bible.
“We learn who we are in Christ Jesus through God's Word. And as we receive His Word, the Holy Spirit helps us grow in living according to His truth.”
Sophie smiled.
“So every day is another chance to grow?”
“Every single day,” Ms. Rose replied.
Bleu fluttered toward the sunshine.
“Then let's thank God for everything He's teaching us!”
Ms. Rose bowed her head.
And right there beside the sparkling stream, the Kingdom Kids thanked God for His Word, for His love, and for the wonderful things He was teaching them.
When they finished praying, Timmy looked around the blanket.
“So... is it time for the bananas?”
Everyone burst into laughter.
“Yes, Timmy,” Ms. Rose said, smiling.
“It's time for the bananas.”
And as the Kingdom Kids shared their Sunday picnic, their hearts were filled with gratitude.
They weren't simply remembering another week of adventures. They were growing in the knowledge of who they are in Christ Jesus, one truth-filled day at a time.