Bible Reading: John 14:25-27

Ian and Matilda's new golden retriever puppy gnawed on an old shoe. "Ringo sure played hard today," Ian said. "He never rests!"

"Kids!" Mom called. "It's time to put Ringo to bed."

Ian and Matilda had promised they would take care of their new puppy. This was Ringo's first night with the family, and the kids were eager to keep their promise.

"Come on, Ringo," said Matilda. She lifted the puppy and carried him to the soft doggie bed at the end of the hall.

"Sleep tight," said Ian, patting Ringo's head. The puppy looked at the kids for a moment, then hopped out of the bed.

"Maybe he needs a blanket," said Matilda. Ian found an old quilt, and Matilda tucked it around Ringo. The puppy looked at them with sad eyes.

"He's still not happy," said Ian.

"I heard a ticking clock helps new puppies sleep," said Matilda. "It sounds like the mama dog's heartbeat." She got an alarm clock and buried it in the quilt.

Ringo lay in the bed, and his eyes began to close. The kids began tiptoeing down the hall when suddenly the puppy jumped out of bed and scampered after them.

"He's lonely out here," said Ian.

Matilda nodded. "I think we can fix that." They picked up Ringo's doggie bed and took it down the hall to their room.

Ten minutes later, Ringo was sound asleep in his bed, his face nestled in the thick quilt, his ear pressed against the softly ticking clock. Ian looked down from the top bunk. "Ringo's finally resting. He looks so peaceful."

Matilda smiled. "It's kind of like the peace we get from Jesus."

"What do you mean?" asked Ian.

"Well, Ringo wasn't able to rest until we moved him in here--he wasn't at peace until he felt our presence. And when we feel Jesus's presence, it gives us peace so we can rest too. And just like the blanket and clock helped Ringo feel loved and not alone, things like prayer, reading the Bible, and worshiping with other Christians help us feel at peace by reminding us that Jesus loves us and is with us."

Ian watched Ringo breathe deeply. "Let's say our prayers before we go to sleep. I want to feel that peace tonight!"

–Jennifer Dillard