Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Sadly. Hey Pastor…

Pastor: Sammy, why do you seem so sad?

Sammy: Well, the other lambs were really mean to me today. They made fun of me because my fleece is too curly.

Pastor: I’m really sorry to hear that Sammy.

Sammy: Yes. It made me feel really bad.

Pastor: Boys and Girls, has anyone ever been mean to you or hurt you?

Wait for Answers

Sammy: I am really sad to hear that everyone. I don’t understand why people or lambs can be so mean.

Pastor: It’s a part of living Sammy. We can never escape the mean actions of others. People are mean to family, friends, and complete strangers all the time. And if we are honest, we are mean to people too.

Sammy: I guess I have been mean before too.

Pastor: Jesus never promises us an easy life. But he does promise to be with us through tough times and trials. He says, “not a hair of your head will perish.”

Sammy: That really gives me hope Pastor. Thank you.

Pastor: Boys and girls. Can you please fold your hands and bow your head? Dear Jesus, that you for keeping us, thank you for forming us. Thank you for staying with us in times of trial. In Jesus name we pray, amen!

Sammy: Bye everyone!

“Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil.  And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away” (Mark 4:5-6).

So many have such hard shells around them that it seems almost impossible for the truth to penetrate into their hearts.  You and I also have a hardness which life in this age grows.  The worries of this world build a hardness, and the word of the Lord is easily rejected.  The heat this world puts upon us scorches us such that we are paying attention to the heat and not to that which is being scorched.

Lord, help me to see things as they are.  In good times, let me not miss things because I am having a good time.  In bad times, help me not miss things because I am lamenting and fretting over circumstances.  You are always with me.  You will never leave nor forsake me.  Aid me to see through the fog of this age so that I do not have a part in scorching Your word which You have placed in me.

Lord Jesus, You wandered through the wilderness of this age.  You know the difficulties I encounter.  Help me so that every difficulty becomes an opportunity to grow into Your likeness.  Where there is scorching heat, teach me to rest in You and be revived.  Through all things, may Your word grow in me in spite of and not because of circumstances.  Grow my faith in You through all things.  Amen.