Bible Reading: Daniel 6:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"What beautiful zucchini!" Mom said as she and Alex walked in their garden. "It's amazing how God makes all kinds of wonderful food grow for us, isn't it? He's so good!"
Alex smiled and nodded, then looked down as his phone buzzed with a text message. "Nicholas's sister Joceyln is driving him to that new burger place down the road, and he invited me to go with them," he said. "Can I go?" Mom agreed, so Alex hurried off to join his friends.
When they sat down at the restaurant with their food, Alex remembered his mom's words. If zucchini was something to be thankful for, burgers were blessings for sure!
I want to thank God for the food, Alex thought. He usually prayed before meals, but he hadn't known Nicholas and Joceyln very long and didn't know if they were Christians. Will they understand? he wondered.
Nicholas took a big bite of his hamburger, then looked at Alex. "Why aren't you eating?"
Alex hesitated as Joceyln came to the table with napkins, then sat down and unwrapped her sandwich. He waited to see if she would bow her head. When she didn't, Alex decided to ask about it, even though he was a bit nervous. "Um, do you mind if I pray? I just want to thank God for the good food He's given us."
To Alex's surprise, Nicholas and Joceyln both looked up from their burgers and smiled. "That would be great!" said Joceyln. "We completely forgot to do that." Then they all bowed their heads.
When they finished, Joceyln grinned at Alex. "I'm glad you reminded us to pray. It's good to talk to God throughout the day and thank Him for all He's given us--even burgers!"
"You made me think of Daniel in the Bible," said Nicholas. "He prayed to God even though the king said he'd be thrown into a lion's den if he did. He prayed during a scary time, but it's just as important to pray during good times too."
Joceyln nodded. "Jesus wants us to go to Him in all situations--to thank Him in good times and look to Him for help in times of trouble." She smiled. "And now, here's something else you can thank Him for--ice cream sundaes on me!"
–Margaret M. Primrose
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