Friendship Bracelets

Read: John 15:12-15 “I can’t believe Aanya would do this to me!” Lucy pulled the friendship bracelet off her wrist and dropped it in the trash. “Lucy? Are you okay?” her mother asked. “Why are you throwing away your bracelet from Aanya?” “I thought she was my friend.” Lucy hung her backpack up on its hook and sat down at the table. “But she told my secret to the entire class. Even the boys!” “What secret?” asked Mom. Lucy told her, and Mom sighed. “I’m sorry, Lu.” Mom thought for a moment. “Do you have any more of the thread you use to make bracelets?” Lucy nodded. She got up and brought the box of brightly colored threads to the table. Mom started looking through the threads and picking some out. “What are you doing?” Lucy asked. “I’m making you a friendship bracelet. It will remind you that you always have a friend, one who will never betray you.” Mom began twisting the strands together. She pointed to a dark thread. “This friend loves you even though you’ve done bad things and will always love you no matter what you do.” “Is it you?” Lucy asked. “No. Even though I love you very much, this person loves you even more.” Mom picked up a red thread. “He died to save you from your sins.” She held up a white one and a green one. “He washed you clean of sin and gave you new life.” “I know who my friend is! It’s Jesus!” Lucy exclaimed. “And the bracelet has the same colors as the wordless book I made at church. The gold stands for the streets of gold in heaven.” “Yes, Jesus loved you enough to give His life so you could have eternal life with Him. He loves you so much, Lucy. He’ll always be there for you, even when no one else is.” She reached over and slipped the bracelet onto Lucy’s wrist. “You can wear this as a reminder that Jesus is the best friend you’ll ever have.” Lucy looked at the bracelet. “Since Jesus is such a good friend to me, maybe I should give Aanya another chance.” Mom smiled and gave Lucy a hug. “That’s a great idea. Jesus will be with you as you show His forgiveness to Aanya.” –Jessica Kleeberger How about you? Have you ever been disappointed by someone? Maybe it was a friend, a parent, a brother, or a sister. The good news is that God’s children have a friend who will never let them down. That friend is Jesus Christ! He loved you enough to die for you so you could have eternal life with Him. You can trust Him as your very best friend. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Today's Key Verse: There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 (NLT) Today's Key Thought: Jesus is the ultimate best friend