READ: DEUTERONOMY 31:6-8; LUKE 15:1-7; 19:10; 1 PETER 1:3-9

When I was eleven, I marched with a school group in our town’s Christmas parade. We started near the football stadium and then marched through town. After two miles or so, we finished at the end of Main Street. As my friend Meredith watched the thinning crowd, her face drooped as much as her pom poms, and she began to cry. Feeling alone and scared, she wondered, Where’s my mom? How can she find me? What if I can’t find her?

As Meredith’s friends, we tried to reassure her. We told her that her mom knew where the parade ended and would come for her. We reminded her that her mom would look for her until she found her. We assured her that her mom would never, ever leave without her. And we were right. Meredith couldn’t see her mom when she needed comfort most, but her mother searched for her until she was reunited with her daughter. Then they went home together.

Meredith’s anxiety arose from not being able to see her mother. She didn’t stop believing her mom cared for her. But not being able to lay eyes upon her mother left Meredith feeling abandoned. Each of us can experience that same fear in our relationship with Jesus. When we put our trust in Him, believing in His death and resurrection, we are united with God. He becomes our Father, and we gain a new identity as His children. God loves us, and as a good Father, He promises never to leave us (John 10:28-29; Hebrews 13:5; 1 John 3:1).

Sometimes it seems like our worries would calm down if we could just see God, right? Though we can’t see Him with physical eyes, we can trust what the Bible teaches about Him: that He is with us. He loves us, He pursues us, and He will never let us go. • Allison Wilson Lee

• Can you think of a time you felt like God was far away? We all go through times like these, but God is eager to remind us of His love and nearness. Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about how He has seemed distant and how that’s made you feel. In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to—people who can remind you of His presence with you? Are there any Bible verses that help you feel closer to God?

• After Jesus rose from the dead, He promised to be with us always (Matthew 28:20). He ascended into heaven and sent His Spirit to live in all believers (John 14:15-18, 26-27). How could it be encouraging to remember Jesus is always with us through His Holy Spirit dwelling in us?

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)