NOVEMBER 7, Psalm 4:8

Kok Leong sat up in bed. “What’s that noise?” he wondered. He and his family had moved to a new home, and now he slept in a strange, new room.

Somehow he did not feel safe, the way he felt back in his old, familiar home. Kok Leong heard the noise again. “I don’t like this room! I don’t want to sleep here!”, he thought. He jumped out of bed and went to find his mother. “Son!” exclaimed Mom when Kok Leong rushed into the living room. “What’s wrong, honey?”

“What’s that noise, Mom?” asked Kok Leong. Mom listened for a moment. “There’s a bit of thunder in the distance,” she said. “It won’t hurt you.” Kok Leong knew his mom was right. The noise did sound like thunder, and it was not even close. There was nothing to be afraid of, but he was still scared. “I don’t like my new room,” he said.

Mom put her arm around Kok Leong. “Sometimes it’s hard to get used to a new house,” she told him. “You don’t feel safe here yet.” She pointed to their little dog sitting at her feet. “I think Spunky still feels a little strange here too. Why don’t you take him to your room? He’ll be good company for you.”

Kok Leong looked at the puppy. “Okay,” he agreed. “Come on, Spunky. I’ll take care of you, just like I always did.” Mom went to tuck Kok Leong back into his bed. “When you feel afraid, remember that we didn’t move away from God,” she said. “He’s right here with you, just like He was with you in our old house,even when it’s dark and there’s a storm outside. You can trust Him to take care of you.”

When Kok Leong heard the noise again a little later, he pulled the blanket snugly around himself and Spunky. “You aren’t scared when you know I’m near, you know I’ll take care of you and keep you safe, don’t you?” he asked as he stroked the puppy’s head. “I’m not scared either, because I know God is near. He’ll take care of me and keep me safe.”Then Kok Leong and Spunky closed their eyes and went to sleep.

Thought: Do you have trouble getting to sleep when things seem scary or new?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I may be troubled by thoughts of a test coming up at school or of a school bully. Please remind me You will watch over me when I face those things You are with me everywhere, all the time, anytime I need You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.