Children's Message: Easter 6 - Year A

Cindy and her friend Alice were playing in Alice’s room when Alice’s mom popped her head in the door.

“C’mon you two, you’re supposed to be packing.”

But Cindy and Alice didn’t want to pack. Packing meant leaving and saying good-bye. Alice’s mom took a job in Edmonton and they were moving that Saturday.

Alice opened an empty box and started to put her dolls in it. She picked up a fluffy stuffed cat named Penelope, hugged it, and turned to Cindy.

“Here, Cindy,” she said, “You can have Penelope.”

“Why?” asked Cindy, receiving the gift.

“Because I know you like her. You always snuggle with her when we have sleepovers,” said Alice.

“Don’t you mean “had” sleepovers?” asked Cindy.

It took most of the day, but Alice’s room was all packed. Cindy’s mom called her home for dinner.

“Don’t forget Penelope,” said Alice.

“Thanks,” said Cindy.

That night as Cindy was getting ready for bed and to say her prayers, her mom and dad came in after turning the light off in her little sister’s room.

“Where did you get this cat?” asked her mom.

“Her name is Penelope. Alice gave her to me when we were packing up her room,” said Cindy.

“Boy, that was nice of her,” said her dad.

“Now when I snuggle with Penelope, I’ll remember Alice,” said Cindy.

“That is a special gift,” said her dad. “It must be hard to see Alice leave, isn’t it?”

Cindy nodded.

“Y’know, Jesus talked about Penelope,” said her mom.

“He did?” asked Cindy.

“When Jesus was going away he said that he would give his friend a Comforter who would stay with them always. That way, they would always remember him. That Comforter is the Holy Spirit.”

Cindy smiled.

“Alice,” she said hugging Penelope, “I’m glad you’ll always be with me.”

Then, together, they said prayer like this as we do now: Dear God, thank you for friends. Thank you that you will always be with us. Amen.