It was a Sunday, Richie and Diana went to church with their parents.
But all the time Richie was fretting about Jeff.
He looked up to his big brother.
Why was Jeff so different these days?
Why did he always fight with Mum?
He thought he could  not bear it if Jeff left them.
Jeff was sixteen, and as big as a man, but he was so upset a lot of the time.
Maybe he would get all messed up, out in the world.
Maybe he would get criminal friends?
Maybe he would get bashed up...maybe...maybe.
Richie was really worried.
The hymn was over, and they all sat down.
The preacher, Pastor Morris, started his talk
“Let not your heart be troubled.”
Do you know it felt as though Jesus was talking right to Richie,
and he was all alone with Him.

Pastor Morris said, “Let us never say that anything,
even the most bitter, most difficult grief has no possible comfort.
No matter how dark the night, Jesus Christ can put stars into our sky.
Nothing is ever hopeless because Jesus Christ is with us through all problems.
No matter what situation we face,
there is no reason why we should lose our peace in God.”
Then the congregation opened their Bibles, Richie did too,
and this was what he read

Richie felt Jesus was very close to Him,
and he thought maybe he should tell Him about Jeff.
So he whispered, “Lord Jesus, I’m scared about Jeff.
Could You please look after him and make things right with him
and Mum and Dad? Amen.”
Richie felt so much better after that.
When they went home, Jeff was in the shed cleaning his bike.
He didn’t act much better toward Mum or Dad, but he didn’t go away.

A PRAYER FOR YOU
“Thank You, Heavenly Father, because You love me so much. Thank You because You want me to be safe and happy. Thank You because I need not ever be troubled or afraid, because You care for me. Thank You for being there to answer my prayers. Amen.”

Jeff had a love and hate relationship with his parents. Especially his mother. She had been so good to him all his life, but now she made him so mad! He wanted to get out from under her control. He had to handle his own life, he felt, or he would be eaten up out there in the world! It scared him inside that he had to “make it” in an adult world! Mum had been so close to him, but now he couldn’t stand her being so strong, when he felt so weak and as though he couldn’t cope. Why couldn’t he be as strong a person as her? She was a woman, he was a man. Why was she always right about everything? That made him furious! Jeff was having a hard time, like a lot of people do, especially boys, when they are teens. God understands this, and He longs to have you bring all your difficulties to Him. He made you, so He sure does understand what goes on inside your head and heart.