Smiles

Smiles

Author: Keys for Kids Ministries March 9, 2026 Duration: 4:31
Read: 1 John 4:7-16 Ella was pouting when she and her mother returned home from shopping. “What’s the matter, grumpy face?” asked her brother, Jax. Ella scowled. “Mom gets you everything you want, but she wouldn’t buy anything for me. All I wanted was a smiling flower shirt.” Jax laughed. “A smiling flower shirt on you? That would be a joke! The way you whine?” Using a high-pitched tone, he imitated her. “Moooom! Why won’t you buy me everything I want?” He smirked, and his sister hit him. “Ow!” he yelled, hitting back. Dad walked into the room as the kids continued to hit each other. “Break it up!” he said. “The place I’d like to see a smile is on your faces for a change.” On Sunday, Jax and Ella got ready to go to church with their next-door neighbors. “Why don’t you come to church with us today?” Jax asked his parents hopefully. Both he and Ella had been Christians for some time, but their parents were not believers. Dad settled into his armchair. “And miss out on some peace and quiet without you two fighting? I don’t think so!” Jax and Ella didn’t know what to say. “We’ve got to quit fighting,” Ella told Jax later. “It’s not helping us get Mom and Dad to listen when we try to tell them about Jesus.” Jax nodded thoughtfully. “I know. It’s like what Pastor Peters said last week—love is what shows others we belong to Jesus. He gave us the Holy Spirit so we can show His love in all we do. We need to remember that when we’re tempted to fight.” So they prayed and asked Jesus to help them remember to show His love in their words and actions. And He did! Soon their parents noticed a difference. When a vase was broken several weeks later, both Ella and Jax admitted to not being careful as they played. Dad was amazed. “You’re not blaming each other! I never thought I’d see the day.” The next Sunday, Dad surprised them. “Mom and I aren’t too old for church, are we?” “You mean you’ll go?” Jax asked. Mom and Dad nodded, and Jax and Ella gave each other high fives. “Hey!” Dad said, laughing. “That brought smiles to your faces!” –Agnes Livezey How about you? Do your actions and attitudes show that you have the love of Jesus in your heart? If you’re a Christian, He’s made you a new person and given you the Holy Spirit, who fills you with His love. When you let that love shine out in the way you treat people, others will be able to see that you belong to Him. Trust Him to help you show His love in all you do so others can see who He is. Today's Key Verse: [Jesus said,] “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 (NIV) Today's Key Thought: Let others see Jesus’s love in you

Looking for a moment of calm and connection in your family's day? Keys for Kids-daily devotions and Bible stories for kids and families offers a gentle, engaging pause. Each episode is built around the trusted Keys for Kids devotional, transforming its lesson into an immersive audio experience. Host Zach guides the way, blending clear Scripture readings with original, captivating stories that make biblical principles relatable and memorable for young listeners. His talent for using distinct, creative voices breathes life into each character, helping kids visualize the parables and lessons in a way that feels both fun and meaningful. This daily podcast serves as a consistent touchpoint for families seeking to grow together in faith, providing digestible content that sparks conversation about God's love and character. It’s more than just a story time; it’s a tool for planting seeds of understanding and building a spiritual foundation through narrative. Produced by Keys for Kids Ministries, the audio is crafted to be both a standalone moment of reflection for a child and a shared listening experience for parents and kids alike. The rhythm of a new episode each day creates a comforting routine, turning drive time, quiet afternoons, or bedtime into an opportunity for discovery and growth.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids and families
Podcast Episodes
The Prayer Closet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:31
Read: Matthew 6:5-8 Callum heard someone calling his name. “Amen,” he said quickly, then opened his closet door to find his dad standing in the middle of his room. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you,” Dad said, “but I’m cur…
Eyes on the Prize [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:31
Read: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 12:1-3 Austin watched as his uncle put a treat right in front of Trixie. “No, Trixie! No!” Uncle Josh told the puppy. “Look at me!” Trixie looked straight at her master’s face, then gla…
Loved While Messy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:31
Read: Romans 4:6-8; 5:6-8 “Dad’s here!” Keziah peeked her head around the side of the house. “Jonah!” Jonah stared at his older sister. “No. He can’t be here yet.” Jonah’s eyes filled as he heard his dad greeting his sis…
The Fix-It Kid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:31
Read: Proverbs 15:23; 25:11-13 “Whoa!” Lachlan yelled as his remote control jeep crashed. He picked it up and saw that a piece had fallen off. Lachlan tried to fix the jeep—but it was no use. “Parker, can you fix this?”…
Send Out the Search Party [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:31
Read: Psalm 139:23-24; Jeremiah 17:10 “Why is there an old apple core inside a crinkled chip bag under your pillow?” Dad asked when Camila came into the kitchen. Camila smirked. “The real question is why were you looking…
Be Careful, Charley! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:31
Read: Ephesians 6:1-3 Charley toddled happily around the living room. He had just learned to walk, and it was Lacie’s job to keep an eye on him while Dad was cooking dinner. He was a very curious little boy and almost al…
His Life for Mine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:31
Read: John 10:14-18 “Why would Jesus allow Himself to be killed if He were really God?” Jackson asked his youth group leader. “I don’t get it!” Mr. Anders did his best to explain, but Jackson still thought it made no sen…
Tangled Threads [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:31
Read: Romans 5:1-5 Marta sat down on the couch beside her grandmother and glanced at the needlepoint canvas she was working on. “That’s so pretty!” said Marta. “That’s going to be the cover for the pillow you made for my…
Roses Are Red [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:31
Read: James 2:14-17; 1 John 3:18 Sebastian was so focused on coloring the big red heart that he didn’t hear his dad come into his room. Dad stood behind him and read the poem written on the card Sebastian was making out…
Change of Plans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:31
Read: James 4:13-15 When Journey and her dad clapped their hands and shouted loudly, two barn swallows quickly flew out of the garage, their tails looking like forks against the blue sky. “Why can’t we let them nest in t…