Growing

Growing

(Read James 1:22-25)

Jessie picked up the tiny crab and placed it in her palm. “You’re still living in the same small shell,” she said. “Why haven’t you moved into the bigger one?”

Both Jessie and her sister Kelsey had received a little hermit crab for Christmas, along with an extra shell for the crab to live in. “The pet store owner explained that these crabs live in shells abandoned by snails,” Dad had told the girls. “As they grow, they must move into bigger shells. Since he said these were just about ready to move, we got larger shells, too, so that they’ll be ready for them.” Sure enough, a few days later, Kelsey’s crab had moved into its new shell. But although Jessie thought her crab should move, too, it had not yet done so.

As Jessie was studying in her room after supper, her mother came to the door. “Jessie, Mr. Hanks called while you were at school,” said Mother. “He wants you to come to the church activity on Saturday.”

“Oh, Mom, I don’t want to go,” said Jessie. “They’re going to hand out tracts at the mall and invite people to our church. I’m too young . . . I can’t speak to strangers about Jesus.” She plopped onto her bed.

Mother walked over to the aquarium and looked at Jessie’s crab. “He’s really growing, isn’t he?” she said.

“He changed shells!” exclaimed Jessie. “I thought he was afraid to leave his old one.”

Mother smiled. “Maybe he was,” she said, “but part of growing is taking new steps.” She gave Jessie a hug. “Maybe you’ve been a little afraid to grow,” she suggested. “If you’ll try helping on Saturday, maybe you’ll find you can handle it after all.” Jessie looked at her mother, then back at her little crab. “Why don’t you call Mr. Hanks and tell him you’ll be there,” encouraged Mother.

Jessie hesitated. Then she nodded. “OK,” she agreed. “I guess it’s time to break out of my shell, too.” SLA

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Have you been growing as a Christian this past year? Have you put away your fear and become stronger in your faith by serving the Lord in different ways?

Growth Takes Action

MEMORIZE:

“And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don’t obey, you are only fooling yourself.” James 1:22