Trusting Jesus' plans

Lots of kids wonder if anybody's listening to them. You know what you're saying is important, even if it doesn't come out right. But if grownups keep slowing you down, you wonder if they're even paying attention.

Jesus knew how important it is to have someone listen. In this week's Gospel (Mark 5:21-43), He tells everyone that even when it feels like no one's listening, He is -- and that He's paying attention even if you don't get the answer you want.

A man named Jairus begged Jesus, "My daughter is dying. Please, come make her well." Jesus went; but on the way, people met them and told the man, "Your daughter is dead." Jesus asked, "Why are you crying? She's just asleep." He went to the girl and said, "Little girl, get up!" And the girl jumped up, alive and well!

Jairus must have wondered if Jesus heard him. His little girl was very sick, but Jesus didn't wave His hand and make her better right away -- He waited until she died and then brought her back to life!

Once you say everything you want to, you probably find out that the grownups heard you. Maybe they told you to slow down to hear you better, not because they didn't want to listen.

Like you, Jairus found out that Jesus had listened to him. Jesus was paying attention; He just had a different plan. Jairus learned what Jesus wants us to remember -- that just because things don't turn out the way you want them to doesn't mean God isn't paying attention!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me remember that even when you don't give me the answer I want, you're listening! Amen.