Bandit’s Rescue (Part 2)

Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids

Bible Reading: Matthew 19:23-26; John 13:34; Romans 5:6-8

Bandit, Amelia's little piglet, lay in a box. Her faint, wheezing breath was the only clue that she was still alive. As Amelia hung a bulb over the box to give it heat, her cousin Ruby came in. She peered at the still form as Amelia explained what had happened.

"That's horrible!" exclaimed Ruby. She watched Amelia take an eyedropper and trickle warm milk down the piglet's throat. Ruby sighed. "It's hopeless," she said, shaking her head.

"No! She could get better," said Amelia. Every couple of hours she would go to Bandit's box to feed and stroke the tiny piglet, looking for any signs of improvement. Even her parents began to doubt that Bandit would recover, but Amelia refused to give up, even getting up in the middle of the night to take care of her. Dad told her she should prepare for the worst, but Amelia kept hoping and praying that Bandit would get well.

The next morning, Ruby came over to go to church with Amelia's family. "I want to show you something," said Amelia. She led the way to Bandit's box. "Look!"

Ruby stared. There stood Bandit, wiggling and squealing for Amelia to hurry with some more food. "I don't believe it!" exclaimed Ruby. "She looked so hopeless yesterday. I was sure she was a goner!"

Later that day, Ruby and Amelia took Bandit outside to get some fresh air. "You know Ryder, my foster brother?" Ruby said as she played with Bandit on the grass. "Well, I don't think I can stand him anymore! He's always getting in trouble, and he keeps lying and stealing our things. I don't think there's anything we can do for him. He's hopeless!"

"That's what you said about Bandit," said Amelia. "But it wasn't true. Bandit got better because I loved her and took care of her. God loves and cares for us much more than that! When we were all lost and hopeless, He sent Jesus to save us." Amelia looked at her cousin. "Why don't you try to help Ryder by praying for him and showing him you care? I'll pray for him too. That's what I did with Bandit, and Ryder is way more important than a pig. Don't give up on him--things are never hopeless with God."

–Linda A. Price

How About You?
Do you know people who seem hopeless? Don't give up on them. Keep praying and helping them in any way you can. Be sure to share the good news of Jesus with them too. He came to offer hope to all of us by dying for our sins and rising from the dead. He can change anyone's heart, just like He changed yours. Help others know that He loves them and will welcome them joyfully.
Today's Key Verse:
With God all things are possible. (NKJV) (Matthew 19:26)
Today's Key Thought:
There's hope for the hopeless