A quiet prayer before we begin
Lord Jesus, draw near to every child who has ever hidden because of hurtful words. Let Your truth be louder than every voice that tried to shame what You lovingly created. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Joppa and Millo
“Beautiful”
Joppa the Ostrich was hiding.
She tucked herself behind a bush, her long neck bent low, her feathers drooping around her. She did not want anyone to see her.
Some of the other animals had made fun of her.
They laughed at her long legs.
They pointed at her big eyes.
They whispered about the way she looked.
Joppa felt small, even though she was tall.
“I don’t look like them,” she said softly.
“I don’t want to be seen.”
Just then, a tiny voice fluttered nearby.
“Joppa?” chirped Millo the little bird.
Joppa didn’t answer.
Millo hopped closer. “Joppa, why are you hiding?”
Joppa peeked out slowly. Her eyes were sad.
“They made fun of me,” she said. “I don’t like how I look.”
Millo tilted his little head and looked at her kindly.
“Joppa,” he said gently, “do you remember what your name means?”
Joppa shook her head.
“It means Beautiful.”
Joppa blinked.
“Beautiful?” she whispered.
“Yes,” Millo said. “Not because others say it. Because God says it. He made you on purpose—your long legs, your big eyes, your feathers, all of you.”
Joppa looked down at her feet.
“But they laughed at me,” she said.
Millo flew up and rested gently near her.
“Sometimes others don’t understand what makes you special,” he said. “But their words are not the truth. God’s voice is the truth.”
Joppa was quiet for a moment.
Then she took a deep breath.
“What does God say?” she asked.
Millo smiled.
“He says you are fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Joppa slowly lifted her head.
The wind moved softly through her feathers.
For the first time, she did not feel like hiding.
“I am… beautiful?” she said again, a little stronger this time.
Millo chirped happily. “Yes, Joppa. You are.”
Joppa stepped out from behind the bush.
She stood a little taller.
Not because the others had changed,
But because she was beginning to believe the truth.
Memory Verse
“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
—Psalm 139:14
Reflection Question
Have you ever felt like hiding because of what someone said? What does God say about you?
A little prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for making me. Forgive me for believing hurtful words instead of Your truth. Help me remember that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. When I feel like hiding, remind me that You call me beautiful. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
God calls you beautiful, even when others do not see it.