An invisibility cloak—that’s what she needed. Maddie slumped in her seat at the back of the school library. She wished just such a cloak would come out of the fantasy novel she was reading. Anything to help her disappear. Ever since her classmates had found out about her dad’s illness, it seemed like everyone was staring at her with drooping, sympathetic faces.
Oh, for the days when life was normal—when life had seemed unbearably boring: school, homework, bed, repeat. Now life was crowded with casserole- bearing visitors, home health nurses, and, often, an empty house—with all the doctor’s appointments her parents were going to.
She stood up and began to browse the shelves, feeling guilty about her resentment about the situation. Especially when Dad had it the hardest. He didn’t smile the same, and he hardly ever laughed anymore. Neither did Mom. But Maddie knew they were doing their best. She had been too, until this morning.
Maddie returned to her table, two books in hand. A folded bundle of notebook paper was perched on top of her notebook. She picked it up and glanced around the library. Suddenly, no one was looking at her—everyone seemed engrossed in their books. She sat down and peeled the bundle of papers open. Messages in pen and pencil scrawled across the blue lines:
“We’re praying for your dad, Maddie!â€
“We’re here for you, Maddie!â€
“God sees you, and He’s with you.â€
Maddie looked up to see her classmates gathered around, smiling. Maybe she didn’t need that invisibility cloak after all. • Susan Holt Simpson
• Have you ever wished you had an invisibility cloak? When?
• Reread today’s Bible verses. Why is having community so important? Who can you reach out to when you’re struggling (for example, pastors, teachers, or counselors)?
• If you have friends facing hard situations, how can you show love to them?
He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (CSB)
Read Verses:
Romans 10:1-4; Philippians 3:8-9; Hebrews 9:14-15
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