Elizabeth, Joppa, Millo, Lion, and Friends
Elizabeth sat beside her grandmother at the little wooden table near the kitchen window.
Grandma’s Bible was open. Her hands were folded. Her eyes were closed.
Elizabeth noticed a tear slide down Grandma’s cheek.
“Grandma?” Elizabeth asked softly. “Are you sad?”
Grandma opened her eyes and smiled gently.
“A little,” she said. “But I am also praying.”
Elizabeth climbed into the chair beside her. “Who are you praying for?”
Grandma looked out the window toward the meadow where Joppa, Millo, Mahle, Rafi-Owl, Hippii, Bodhi, and the other friends were playing.
“I am praying for you,” Grandma said. “And I am praying for your friends too.”
Elizabeth tilted her head. “Why?”
Grandma reached across the table and held Elizabeth’s hand.
“Because I love you,” she said. “And when we Love someone, we want them to walk safely with God.”
Just then, Joppa came tapping up to the kitchen door.
Millo was perched on her shoulder, his little crooked beak tilted with concern.
“Is everything okay?” Millo asked.
Elizabeth opened the door, and Joppa carefully stepped inside.
“Grandma is praying,” Elizabeth explained. “She has a heavy heart.”
Joppa lowered her long neck. “Sometimes my heart feels heavy too.”
Millo nodded. “Especially when I worry about my friends.”
Soon, the others came near the window. Mahle the spotted lamb stood quietly beside Bodhi, the golden retriever. Rafi-Owl perched on the fencepost. Hippii peeked in kindly, careful not to bump the flowerpots.
Grandma smiled at them.
“I was reading this verse,” she said. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Millo blinked. “What does that mean?”
Grandma thought for a moment.
“It means we may have many ideas about what our lives will look like,” she said. “We may make plans, dream dreams, and hope for certain things. But God’s good purpose is stronger than confusion, fear, or trouble.”
Elizabeth looked down. “But what if something scary happens?”
Grandma squeezed her hand.
“Then we pray,” she said. “We ask God for wisdom. We ask Him to help us make good choices. We ask Him to guide our steps.”
Rafi-Owl ruffled his feathers. “Wisdom helps us know what is right.”
Grandma nodded. “Yes. And prudence helps us slow down and walk carefully before we step into danger.”
Joppa looked at her feet. “Sometimes I move too fast when I am scared.”
“I do too,” Elizabeth said.
Millo fluttered his wings. “Sometimes I chirp before I think.”
Grandma smiled. “That is why we need the Lord.”
Then Elizabeth asked the question in her heart.
“Grandma, is it wrong that you don’t want us to suffer?”
Grandma’s eyes softened.
“No, sweetheart,” she said. “That is not wrong. That is Love.”
The room grew quiet.
Grandma continued, “Selfishness says, ‘As long as I am okay, I do not care what happens to anyone else.’ But love says, ‘Lord, I care so much that I bring the ones I love to You.'”
Mahle stepped closer. “So when our hearts hurt for someone, we can pray?”
“Yes,” Grandma said. “We cannot carry everyone’s future in our hands. We cannot protect everyone from every hard thing. But we can carry them to Jesus in prayer.”
At that moment, the room became warm and peaceful.
Lion stepped through the doorway.
His mane glowed softly in the morning light, and His eyes were full of kindness.
Elizabeth ran to Him and wrapped her arms around His mane. Joppa bowed her head. Millo became very still.
Lion walked over to Grandma and stood beside her chair.
“You have been carrying a heavy heart,” Lion said gently.
Grandma nodded, tears in her eyes. “I love them so much.”
“I know,” Lion said. “But you do not carry them alone.”
Grandma closed her eyes as Lion rested His mighty paw near the open Bible.
“Bring them to Me,” Lion said. “Their steps, their plans, their friendships, their fears, and their future. I can lead them.”
Elizabeth looked up at Lion. “Even when we don’t know what will happen?”
“Especially then,” Lion said.
Millo whispered, “The Lord’s purpose prevails.”
Lion smiled. “Yes, little one.”
Then Grandma bowed her head again.
“Lord,” she prayed, “I cannot carry their future. I give You Elizabeth, Joppa, Millo, and all their friends. Give them wisdom. Give them prudence. Teach them to follow You. Let Your purpose prevail.”
Everyone bowed their heads.
Joppa prayed for brave steps.
Millo prayed for careful words.
Mahle prayed for a gentle heart.
Rafi-Owl prayed for wisdom.
Hippii prayed for safety.
Bodhi and Arlo prayed by staying close and still.
Elizabeth prayed, “Jesus, help us listen to You.”
And Grandma’s heart did not feel as heavy.
The troubles of the world were still real. The children would still grow, learn, stumble, and need help. But Grandma remembered that Jesus loved them even more than she did.
She could not carry every tomorrow.
But she could bring every tomorrow to Him.
And Lion would not let go.
Today’s Little Lesson
When we Love someone, we may worry about them.
But Jesus does not ask us to carry everyone’s future on our own. He invites us to pray.
We can ask God for wisdom.
We can ask Him for prudence.
We can ask Him to guide the people we Love.
We can trust that His purpose is good.
Sacred Pause
Place your hand over your heart.
Think of someone you Love.
Now whisper:
Jesus, I give them to You. Please guide them with Your wisdom and Love.
Children’s Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving the people I Love and me.
Sometimes my heart feels worried. Sometimes I feel afraid for my family or my friends. Please help me remember that I do not have to carry everyone by myself.
Give me wisdom to know what is right.
Give me prudence to walk carefully with You.
Please guide my family, my friends, and everyone I Love. Help them hear Your voice and follow Your path.
Forgive me for the times I try to fix everything on my own. Help me trust You with tomorrow.
Let Your purpose prevail.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scripture References
Proverbs 19:21 — “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 8:12 — “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence…”
James 1:5 — If anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask God.
Psalm 34:18 — The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
1 Peter 5:7 — “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Psalm 37:23–24 — The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him.
Works Cited / Acknowledgment
Scripture references are drawn from the Holy Bible.
Children’s reflection was shaped with assistance from OpenAI, ChatGPT, for devotional editing, story structure, and prayer formatting.