Bible Reading: Psalm 42:1-2; Matthew 5:6
"Mommy, can I have some juice? Ivy made me thirsty! She gave me potato chips."
Ivy grinned at her little brother. "You didn't have to eat them, Kylan."
"Yes, I did," said Kylan. "You made me want them! You said they were so good, and you kept eating them and eating them. That's why I ate so many, and now I'm thirsty!"
"You can have some water," said Mom. She poured water into a cup and gave it to Kylan, then reached over and took a potato chip from the bowl in front of Ivy. "Did you know that Christians are supposed to be like potato chips?" she asked, holding up the chip in her hand before popping it into her mouth.
"What? That's silly." Ivy took another chip from the bowl and studied it. "How can anybody be like a potato chip?"
Kylan grinned at his big sister. "I'd sure be thirsty if I ate a potato chip as big as you, Ivy. That would be a giant one!"
"Yes, it would," said Mom. "You'd probably have to drink a whole bucket of water!" She gave Kylan a playful jab. "Well, that's exactly how you're supposed to be like a potato chip--you should make people thirsty to know Jesus."
Ivy frowned. "How are we supposed to do that?" she asked, taking a few more chips.
"Potato chips make you thirsty because they're so salty, and Jesus calls His followers the salt of the earth," Mom explained. "If we're salt, we should make people thirsty for the joy, peace, and hope we have in Jesus."
"I still don't get how to make them want that though," said Ivy.
"Kylan said you made him want the potato chips by telling him how good they were, right?" said Mom. "He also saw you keep eating them and that you enjoyed them."
"I think I get it!" said Ivy. "We should tell our friends how great it is to know Jesus and let them see how glad we are to have Him in our lives."
"That's it," said Mom. "Jesus is always with us, giving us joy, peace, and hope--even in difficult times. You want to make them thirsty and want what you have." Mom crunched another chip and smiled.
–Mary L. DeMott
How About You?Are you a salty Christian? Do your friends see the joy Jesus brings to your life and that He is with you in everything you go through? Have you told them about what He's done for you? As you show your faith in Jesus each day--even though you have struggles and problems--your friends may become thirsty for the peace and comfort He gives you and want Him in their lives too.
Today's Key Verse:
You are the salt of the earth. (NKJV) (Matthew 5:13)
Today's Key Thought:
Make others thirsty to know Jesus