MAY 20, Psalm 119:105

A sharp flash of lightning and a crack of thunder made Adelene jump. As she put down the book she had been reading, the lights in her bedroom went out. “Mom!” she shouted. She waited a minute. “Mom!” she yelled again.

“I’m right here,” Mom answered, coming into the room. “Where’s D-Dad?” sputtered Adelene, as another crack of thunder rocked the house. “That thunder is so loud!”

“I know,” said Mom. “Let’s go and find some flashlights.” Adelene and her mother made their way down the hall. As they turned to go into the store room, Adelene ran into something. “Oh!” she exclaimed in surprise.

She heard a chuckle. “It’s just me, honey,” came Dad’s reassuring voice. “I found a couple of flashlights, but they don’t work.”

“Well, we need them! It’s so dark in here that I couldn’t even see you,” Adelene said. “What’s wrong with the flashlights?” She shivered as thunder boomed.

“We haven’t used them in a very long time, and the batteries are probably not working anymore,” said Dad. “I’ll pick up some new batteries tomorrow.”

A flash of lightning lit up the room. “Well, after this, we’d better use flashlights more often and keep them in shape so we’ll be ready when another storm hits,” declared sister Amanda. “True,” agreed Mom, “but for now I’ll get out some candles. I know just where to find them-and matches, too. I’m prepared!”

“Good!” Dad approved. “Does this remind anybody of Pastor’s sermon last Sunday?” Adelene shrugged. “Not me,” she said. “He didn’t talk about thunder storms.”

“No,” said Mom, “but he mentioned a different kind of storm. Pastor pointed out that studying God’s Word every day helps keep us ready for storms of life. In fact, the Bible gives us light, too – light on our path through life.”

“That’s right. If we grab the Bible only when we feel like we really need it – like we did our flashlights-we may not know exactly where to turn to,” added Dad. “But if we’re very familiar with the Bible, we can usually find verses that help us.”

Thought: Do you read the Bible every day?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that Your Word is indeed a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.