Speaking Up for Alli

The mascot gave me a high five but completely ignored my sister. How could he just ignore her like that? Those costumes are hard to see out of sometimes, so I'm glad you could speak up for her. My name is Zach and you're tuned in to listener supported Keys for Kids.

Do you know anyone with special needs? God's family is filled with many precious souls who face a disability of some kind, like not being able to see or hear or maybe being confined to a wheelchair. What if your spiritual gift allows you to look out for and speak up for someone with

special needs? You could be a special encouragement for a Christian with a disability. Peter 410 says, as each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

Dallin grinned when he saw the mascot of his favorite baseball team coming toward them near the stadium entrance. Look, Allie! He said.

But Dallin's excitement turned to anger when the mascot gave him a high-five but didn't even acknowledge Allie. Hey!" he called after him. You didn't talk to my sister!

His aunt touched his arm. Let's go inside. Dallin and his aunt walked toward the stadium, his mom pushing his sister's chair in front of them.

That was so rude, said Dallin. Ali loves him. That's why mom brought us to the game today. How could he just go past her like that?

It's like he didn't even see her. He doesn't know your sister like you do," his aunt said. He didn't realize she was interested in him. She was moving around like she does when she's excited, Dallin said.

If she could talk, she would have been yelling out to him. He didn't know the way she was moving meant she was excited. You knew that because you know your sister. That makes you the perfect person to speak up for her.

mom turned toward them holding out their tickets. We can use our voices to speak up for Ali and those like her," she said. We know things others don't because we've spent a lot of time with her. God can use us to change how others see her.

But we need to be patient, Dalyne's aunt said. We've had a lot of time to get to know Ali and all that makes her unique, but others haven't. God has blessed us by putting her in our family, but others only spent a short amount of time

with her. They made their way into the crowded stadium. It's great that you're willing to speak up for your sister. Dalen's aunt put an arm around his shoulders.

It shows the love you have for her, and it helps others see that God loves her too. Dalen looked around. He didn't see a single person in a chair like Allie's, or who seemed similar to her.

He nodded slowly. In Sunday school, he had learned about the unique gifts God gave to different people that reflected Jesus' love, and maybe speaking up for his sister was part of his. Well, how about you?

Has God given you a gift that allows you to look out for others in a special way? Perhaps it's speaking up for those who can't speak for themselves or encouraging others when they're feeling down or being a friend to those who need one. God gives spiritual gifts to everyone who trusts in Jesus so we can reflect His love

to others in our own unique way. Trust Him to help you use your gift to show others His love. Our key verse is 1 Peter 4-10. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards of the

manifold grace of God. And our key thought for today. Use your gift to help others. Are you going to hit the road this summer or hit the beach?

Don't forget to hit Up Word with Zach! It's a chance to keep God's Word in the middle of your summer plans even when you're busy. Read your Bible and the Keys for Kids stories every day for a chance to win prizes. So grab a parent and sign up at WordWithZach.org.

I'm Zach with Keys for Kids.