“[Jesus said,] ‘Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’ ”
— Mark 5:19
Whitney had never been cross country skiing before, so when Shawna invited her to come on their family outing, Whitney was more than a little nervous.
But Shawna’s parents were patient and told her exactly what to do. It wasn’t long before Whitney felt at home on skis. By the time she started getting tired, Whitney decided skiing was the most fun she’d ever had.
When she rounded a bend, she saw Shawna’s parents at the side of the trail. They’d brushed snow off a picnic table, and now Mrs. Sullivan took food from her backpack. “Winter picnic!” she called.
Whitney took off her skis and dropped onto the bench. As she saw the apples and sandwiches, her stomach growled. But just as she reached out, ready to dive in, every head bowed. Every head except Whitney’s. As Shawna and her parents began praying, Whitney felt uncomfortable. What a strange thing to do! Yet it seemed to mean something to them. Whitney closed her eyes so they wouldn’t catch her staring. Is that what makes them different?
After lunch, when everyone started skiing again, Whitney said to Shawna, “Something about your family is different. You’re so nice to each other.”
Shawna laughed, then her eyes grew serious. “We haven’t always been that way.”
“What happened?”
“First Mom became a Christian. Then I did. Then we prayed for Dad. We prayed a lo-o-o-ng time.”
As they followed the ski trail, Whitney was quiet, thinking about it. When twilight fell on the woods, they stopped skiing. The next morning when they started again, Whitney still watched Shawna and her mom and dad. I wish my family could be like them.
Deep inside Whitney a thought started to take shape. All day her longing grew. She wanted something more in her life. She wanted more for her family.
Just like Shawna, you and your family can be an example of God’s love to friends who spend time with you. Being a daughter of God makes you different — in a good way. Can your friends see that?
More to Explore: Philippians 4:9
Girl Talk: What do you think Whitney told her family when she went home?
God Talk: “Jesus, often I’m too scared to tell other people about you. Yet I believe you want me to speak up. In your name, I ask for all the power of your Holy Spirit to help me. Thanks, Jesus!”
From Girl Talk by Lois Walfrid Johnson