This week’s Kidsbook Friends theme is “Feelings”. As a mom of three kids, I’m learning the power of stories to help kids discover their emotions and the power of a loving adult to help them understand and channel their feelings positively. I echo Lysa TerKeurst’s introductory words, “As their mom, I feel what they feel. I hurt when they hurt. I worry about their worries! . . . I needed a story to illustrate how we can trust God in the midst of fear and understand He is still good even when life doesn’t feel good.” Check out what Lisa created:

Introducing Our Featured Friend: It Will be Okay
By Lysa TerKeurst, Illustrated by Natalia Moore

Little Seed was happily snug in his seed packet in the Farmer’s dusty shed. When a fearful fox came bolting into the shed to seek shelter from a storm, he bumped Little Seed right onto the floor. After the initial upset, the two became the closest of friends.

When the good, kind Farmer came to get Little Seed for planting, he did not want to go! But, as the Farmer “pushed Little Seed under the ground, into the dirt, and down to a deep, dark messy place”, he talked with him gently:

“Now Little Seed, this is going to be different and it might seem scary,
but it will be okay. You can trust Me.”

Little Fox stayed right by Little Seed’s spot and as the Farmer took care of them, they began “to believe that the Farmer was good, and the Farmer was kind . . . Even in dark, messy places”.

Soon, Little Seed became a green sprout and grew into a strong tree! Both Little Fox and Little Seed grew into what they were meant to be . . . together.

” . . . just as they learned to trust the Farmer, we can learn to trust God.”

 Inviting You to Become FRIENDS with Little Fox & Little Seed:
Feel, Relate, Imagine, Explore, Navigate, Develop, Share

Select a few activities from the kid-friendly book guide while reading this story:

F- What new places or experiences make you feel afraid at first?

R- Can you relate to Little Seed when he didn’t want to leave his snug place to go try  something new? Describe one new thing that you’ve done that was hard at first.

I- Imagine you could have any friend or family member with you when you are afraid at any time. Who would you want with you and why?

E- Explore the “10 Scriptures to Memorize with Your Kids” page in the front of this book and pick one to memorize this week. The next time you are afraid, remember God is good, He is kind, and He is always watching over YOU.

N- Navigate the process  from seed to tree by watching this cool Time Lapse Animation:

D- Develop your own little garden plant in a container or in ground to see your seed grow into a plant first hand and develop patience while waiting and watching.

S- Share what you love about one of your friends . . . “Little Seed told silly stories, and Little Fox made funny faces.” Then share a creative, yummy treat to make this book even more memorable: Plant a seed (mini sweetart) in the ground (ding dong) with a worm (gummy worm) on top!

Integrating Great Songs with Similar Themes:

• “It’s Going To Be Alright” by Sara Groves
• “Thrive” by Casting Crowns
• “Trust and Obey” for Kids

Illustrations:

“Little Seed liked living inside the cozy packet on the rickety shelf in the Farmer’s dusty shed. He did not want to go.”

“I want to trust, even when I can’t see. But how in the world is this good for me?”

“Together they made it through the dark and scary time . . .”

“Little Seed was never supposed to be just a seed in a seed packet. . . Little Seed grew into a big, strong tree.”

Write this down!

Related Post:
Mortimer’s First Garden by Karma Wilson: https://kidsbookfriends.com/2014/03/31/waiting-for-a-miracle/

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