You can know and grow

Jesus thought it was a good idea for people to grow and learn more about themselves. In this week's Gospel (Luke 18:9-14), He teaches that lesson through a story.

"Two men went to a temple [like a church]," Jesus said. "One stood up front and prayed, `God, I'm so glad I'm a good person. I obey the law and give money to the temple -- not like that terrible tax collector!' But the tax collector, who was thought of as a bad person, stood in a corner and bowed his head, saying, `God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'" Jesus finished, "The tax collector was the one God was happy with -- because those who show off will be humbled, but those who are humble will be made great."

That makes you like the proud man in Jesus' story. He thought he knew himself pretty well: He obeyed the law and went to church, so he thought he was a good person. He never thought about doing anything else to grow and be better.

If you grew an inch and learned about science this year, you know how fast people can grow! The proud man had to change, too; Jesus said he should stop showing off and be more like the tax collector. The tax collector knew himself really well -- he knew he did some good and some bad things, and that he needed to change the bad.

Think about ways you can decide to grow. Jesus is always proud when kids grow -- but He's even more happy when it's your idea!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me learn more about myself and grow in good ways! Amen.