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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me think about the best way to ask for attention when I need it -- and to always ask if it's an emergency! Amen.

A woman whose people Jesus hadn't taught yet begged Jesus to save her sick little girl. "I was sent only to help the chosen ones of God," Jesus told her. "Lord, even dogs eat the leftovers from their masters' tables," she answered. Jesus saw how much faith she had, and He healed her daughter.

Adults have a lot to do. When you want them to pay attention to you, you might clown around or ask question after question until they stop what they're doing. You may not even realize you're being silly or sassy to get attention. You just know it works!

This week's Gospel (Matthew 15:21-28) is a lot like that. A woman is trying to get Jesus' attention, but He's focused on other things. She probably understands that, but this mom can't wait: Her daughter is really sick, so sick she'll die without Jesus' help.

Amazingly, the woman is sassy to Jesus! He tells her He's busy, but she snaps right back at Him, telling Him a dog would get more attention than she's getting.

When you do something to get attention, it can turn out well or badly. The adults might see you need them and stop what they're doing. On the other hand, they might get frustrated and yell.

Jesus got a little frustrated with the woman at first. A million people wanted His attention. Then He saw that this one was really in a crisis. She couldn't wait and wouldn't walk away. Her little girl needed Jesus' help. The story has a happy ending: Jesus heals the girl, and the mother is thrilled.

This Gospel story is a good one to remember for a kid who wants attention. You can ask yourself, "Am I in a crisis? Can I wait a few minutes? Can I ask in a nice way for what I want?"

Being silly or sassy might get an adult's attention, but it's not the best way to handle things. Of course, if you're like the woman Jesus met, do whatever you have to. In an emergency, you need attention now![[In-content Ad]]

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