Glory Stories

GIVING GLORY TO GOD REMINDS US THAT HE IS A GOOD GOD, WHO IS GOOD TO US.

Bible Reading of the Day: Read Mark 7:31-37.

Verse of the Day: “Glory and honor to God forever and ever. He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God” (1 Timothy 1:17).

Frank and his friend Jarrod sat together at the table as Frank’s mom set bowls of steaming soup in front of them.

“I don’t like this kind of soup!” Alicia, Frank’s little sister, whined.

“I’m sorry, Alicia,” Mom said, “but this is what we’re having for lunch.”

Alicia stopped whining, but she wore a grouchy look on her face. Later, as the four of them were finishing their lunch, Alicia started whining again.

“I don’t want to take a nap today,” she said. “I’m too big to take naps.”

Frank and Jarrod exchanged smiles. “It sounds like you really need a nap, Alicia,” Frank said.

“Do not!” Alicia answered sullenly.

“That’s a really grouchy look on your face, Alicia,” Mom said. She winked at Frank. “Maybe it’s time for a ‘glory story.’”

“What’s a glory story?” Jarrod asked.

“It’s just something we do in our family,” Frank explained. “When one of us starts feeling grumpy or sad or something like that, we share a glory story.”

“What is a glory story?” Jarrod repeated.

“It’s a story that gives glory to God,” Mom offered. “It’s like a testimony we tell to each other when one of us starts getting negative. Giving glory to God reminds us that he is a good God, who is good to us.”

“I’ll tell a glory story,” Frank volunteered. He looked at his sister. “I remember once when you were lost at the beach, I was really, really scared, because I didn’t want to lose my baby sister. So I prayed really hard while I looked, and then Mom found you at the lifeguard station.”

Alicia’s eyes widened. “I was scared too!”

“But God helped us find you,” Mom said. “I’ll tell a glory story,” she added. “You had to have an operation when you were just a tiny baby, and we all prayed that the operation would be a success.” She reached her hand over to Alicia and rubbed her daughter’s cheek. “I’m so thankful to God that it was.”

“See?” Frank said, turning to his friend. “That’s a glory story.”

Jarrod nodded and looked at Alicia. She was no longer whining. She-and everyone else at the table—was smiling broadly.

TO DO: Tell your own “glory stories” to each other, to remind each other that God is a good God, who is good to you.

TO PRAY: “Gracious Lord, you are so good to us. We praise your name today. You deserve all glory and honor.”