Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 12:9

When Millie got home from her first day of vacation Bible school, she found Dad watering the garden out back.

"Hi," Dad said. "How was VBS?" He put down the hose and poured Millie a glass of lemonade on the patio.

"A missionary couple spoke to us about their work in another country," said Millie. "They told us that church services are held in secret in people's homes. Christians have to be careful how and where they tell people about Jesus because they could get in trouble for teaching God's Word in public."

Millie stopped to catch her breath and sip the icy lemonade. "They also showed us pictures of where they live and people they know. And they said they're eager to go back. They love what they do."

"You sound pretty excited about it," said Dad.

Millie hesitated. "It was interesting to hear what it's like to work in a foreign country and not be afraid to tell others about Jesus. But what if God calls me to be a missionary? It sounds like hard work, and sometimes it's even dangerous. I don't know if I could ever do it."

Dad was quiet for a moment, then he said, "Run inside and get your softball and mitt."

Millie was puzzled but did as Dad asked. Dad took the mitt and propped it against the side of the house. Then he tossed the ball into the mitt. When the ball rolled out onto the patio, Dad sighed and shook his head. "This mitt is no good."

Millie laughed. "The mitt can't catch a ball by itself, Dad! My hand has to be inside it."

Dad grinned and nodded. "You can't be a missionary by yourself either--you need the Holy Spirit to help you. Just like you give the mitt power and direction when your hand is inside it, He's the one who makes you able to share the love of Jesus with others. Jesus has given all Christians the task of telling others about Him, not just those He calls to be missionaries in other countries, and it can be scary no matter where you are. But whether He leads you to be a missionary far away or just here at home, you can trust Him to give you the power you need to share Jesus wherever you are."

–Ruth Andrews