The city was alive with the sounds of honking cars, chattering people, and the distant hum of the subway. In a small apartment nestled between tall buildings, 8-year-old Sammy was starting his day. The sun’s rays peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow on his room.
After brushing his teeth and dressing for school, Sammy joined his mother in the living room. It was their daily ritual to read a passage from the Bible before he headed off to school. Today, they read Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Sammy closed his eyes and prayed, “God, give me understanding today. Help me not to lean on my own desires but to trust in You.”
With a kiss on his forehead from his mother, Sammy began his three-block walk to school. The city was bustling, but Sammy was used to the noise and the crowds. However, today was different.
A group of older teenagers, lounging by a street corner, beckoned him over. “Hey, kid,” one of them said with a sly grin, holding up a shiny new PlayStation. “Want this? All you have to do is deliver this box,” he pointed to a small package, “to an address across the street from your school.”
Sammy’s eyes widened. He had always wanted a PlayStation. The thought of playing games on it filled him with excitement. But something deep inside him hesitated. The verse he had read with his mother echoed in his mind.
Taking a deep breath, Sammy replied, “No, thank you.” He turned to leave, but not before noticing another classmate, curious and tempted, approaching the teenagers.
Sammy hurried to school, his heart pounding. As he settled into his classroom, a commotion outside drew the children to the windows. Flashing lights, armed officers, and the sight of his classmate being handcuffed filled the scene.
Whispers filled the room. “The SWAT team is here!” someone exclaimed.
Sammy’s heart ached for his classmate, but he also felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. He realized that the wisdom he had prayed for had protected him from making a choice that could have changed his life forever.
As the teacher calmed the class and began the day’s lessons, Sammy silently thanked God for guiding him. He remembered the verse from Proverbs and knew that by trusting in God and not leaning on his own desires, he had been kept safe.
Moral of the Story
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” By placing trust in God and seeking His guidance, we can navigate the challenges of life with wisdom and discernment.
