Colby Gives Thanks

Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids

Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; James 1:17

"What a great day!" Colby told his dad as they said goodbye to their friends at the park. They'd joined other families to hang out and have fun. Colby's two best friends, Asher and Arlo, had been there too. As Colby and his father turned toward the sidewalk, they spotted an ice cream truck parked there.

"Please, Dad!" Colby cried. "Just this once!"

Dad smiled. "Sure, just this once." He handed Colby some money.

Colby rushed to the truck and requested his favorite sweet treat--the strawberry shortcake bar. He eagerly unwrapped it and took a bite as the ice cream truck drove away. Just then, Colby tripped on a curb. The delicious dessert fell from his grasp, landing in the dirt. "No!" Colby yelled. He knew it could not be rescued and began to cry.

"I'm sorry, buddy. I wish I could buy you another one, but the truck just left." Dad hugged Colby and then picked up the filthy shortcake bar and tossed it in the trash.

Walking home, Colby said, "Dad, I had fun today until I dropped my ice cream. That spoiled my whole day."

"I know the ruined ice cream bar was a disappointment, but did it really wreck your entire day?"

"Maybe," Colby replied.

"Colby, remember last summer when you trusted Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior?" Dad asked. Colby nodded. "Well, now you are God's child, and do you know what He wants for His children?"

"What, Dad?"

"He wants us to be grateful. He tells us to be thankful in all situations."

"I am not thankful I dropped my ice cream!" Colby announced.

"You don't have to be, buddy. God tells us to be grateful in all things--not for all things. When we remember that Jesus saved us and promises us eternal life, we can be thankful for the joy and hope we have in Him, even when bad things happen. And we can thank Him for the good things in our lives too. Can you think of anything from today that you would like to thank God for?"

"Yes! My friends, Asher and Arlo; the kickball game at the park; and one more thing, Dad."

"What's that?"

"I'm thankful we have more ice cream at home!"

–Allison Wilson Lee

How About You?
Do you sometimes struggle to give God thanks? Even when we feel frustrated or sad, we can always find reasons to say thank you to God. We don't have to feel grateful for scary or bad things that happen, but, when we remember that Jesus died for us so we could have eternal life with Him, we can learn to be thankful in all situations, even difficult ones.
Today's Key Verse:
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (NKJV) (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Today's Key Thought:
You can always thank God