By Alice
HELLO! I’m Alice—the Captain of Courage, Defender of Doodle Shields, and President of the Royal Jellybean Endurance Society. 🐰💖✨
This morning, the backyard turned into a triple-level training base. Ariel said we were learning about “spiritual strength and endurance,” so obviously that meant I needed my banana-peel cape, Fluffernutter needed a sparkly helmet (made from an old cereal bowl), and the trampoline became our “bounce-for-the-King” battle zone.
“We’re practicing like soldiers, athletes, and farmers,” Ariel explained while tying her shoelaces with actual strategy. Meanwhile, I was trying to convince the dog to be a war horse. (Bash was not impressed.)
So I asked a very important question:
🌀 “If a farmer ran a race, and a soldier planted carrots, and an athlete wore a scarecrow hat… would they all still need Jesus power?”
Fluffernutter scratched his floppy ear, blinked once, and said, “Only if the scarecrow hat had prayer pockets.”
(We both nodded. This made complete sense.)
Yaya came outside with her Bible and a plate of warm bread (which I’m pretty sure counts as battle rations). She read from 2 Timothy 2, and said, “Stay strong. Keep going. Be like a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer for Jesus.”
And I whispered, “Wait… so Jesus trains our hearts like Coach-King-Jesus the Brave?”
✨ Suddenly, the obstacle course wasn’t just bounces and cartwheels anymore. It was about learning to keep going even when you’re tired. Even when your crown falls off. Even when your imaginary goat eats your memory verse flashcards.
So, today, we’re going to learn the truth about what it really means to STAY STRONG in faith:
🥇 Like an athlete who runs for heavenly gold medals.
🪖 Like a soldier who never forgets Who they’re fighting for.
🌱 Like a farmer who keeps planting seeds of kindness even when the garden looks sleepy.
We’ll march. We’ll wiggle. We’ll giggle-pray through the puddles of life. And if your bunny gets tired? Don’t worry—Fluffernutter says faith naps are allowed.
So grab your glitter boots and your Bible badge—because today, we’re bouncing into bravery and learning how to keep going for God. Even if your battle helmet is just a colander covered in stickers. 💫
Ready, set… STOMP, HOP, and PLANT!
Let’s grow some Jesus-strong courage together!
💪 What Soldiers, Athletes, and Farmers Teach Bunny-Brained Adventurers Like Me
Yaya opened her big story Bible today (the one with crumbs and sticky notes in it) and read 2 Timothy 2:1–6. She said Paul told Timothy to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” and to share that strength with others.
“Grace,” Yaya said, “is like God’s invisible superpower for when you’re too tired to keep hopping.”
So I gasped. “Wait! Does that mean if I trip during prayer time or forget my verse halfway through brushing my teeth, God’s grace is still helping me finish strong?”
Fluffernutter gave me the slowest, wisest bunny nod ever. 🐰✅
🪖 Soldiers Show Us How to Stay Laser-Focused on Jesus
Soldiers don’t stop just because the road gets muddy. They don’t take bunny breaks in the middle of their mission (unless it’s for carrot juice). They stay alert and keep moving toward their goal—just like we do when following Jesus gets hard, like when it feels easier to quit or hide behind the couch of excuses.
“Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” —2 Timothy 2:3 (NKJV)
🏃♀️ Athletes Show Us How to Train with Purpose
Athletes stretch and sweat and sometimes fall down—but they always get back up. They follow the rules, keep practicing, and don’t cheat even when no one’s looking. That’s what we do when we stick to our Bible reading plans, memorize verses, and pray even when we’d rather play with slime.
Ariel says discipline means “doing the good thing even when it’s the hard thing.” I say it means “training your heart to trust God with glittery sneakers on.”
🌱 Farmers Show Us How to Wait with Faith
Farmers dig and plant and water and wait. They don’t scream at the dirt when the carrots take too long—they just trust the process. (Sometimes I scream at the dirt. I’m working on it.)
But when we keep being kind, keep praying, and keep trusting even when we don’t see anything yet—we’re growing our faith roots super deep.
“The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.” —2 Timothy 2:6 (NKJV)
Daddy said something super smart after all this.
🧡 “Soldiers stay focused. Athletes train with purpose. Farmers trust the process. And that’s exactly how we follow Jesus—with grit, grace, and a bunny-shaped backpack of hope.”
💭 Your Turn to Think & Talk!
- Can you think of a time when it was hard to keep going, but you did it anyway?
- What’s one way you can train your heart to follow Jesus today?
- Have you ever seen a seed grow into something amazing?
Don’t forget: God’s grace makes us strong—even when our helmets are made of cereal boxes. 🥣✨
🪖 Endurance Like a Soldier (Even If Your Boots Are Made of Marshmallows)
Yaya says being a Christian is kinda like being a soldier… except instead of a sword, we carry God’s Word, and instead of armor, we sometimes wear glitter boots or bunny pajamas. 🐰💖
“Soldiers stay focused,” Yaya told us, “even when their mission gets really tough.” She shared a story about her friend who worked at a super tricky job (like, harder than organizing my sticker collection!) but never stopped praying. Every day, her friend asked God for patience and courage, and guess what? She stayed strong—and other people around her started noticing how peaceful and faithful she was, even when everything felt like a battle.
“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” —2 Timothy 2:3 (NKJV)
⚔️ Brave Like a Prayer-Warrior Bunny
I asked Fluffernutter if he would quit halfway through a pretend bunny battle. He gasped so loud, his ears flipped. “Never!” he whispered. “A brave bunny always finishes the mission—especially if it’s delivering carrot cake and gospel truth.”
That’s when Ariel raised her hand like she was in school and asked Daddy, “So… should we never give up, even when we’re really tired or things feel too hard?”
Daddy gave his serious-squint-and-smile look. “Exactly. Soldiers don’t stop mid-battle. They keep moving forward because they know they’re not alone.”
🎒 My Backpack Battle Moment
It made me remember a day when my schoolwork turned into a mountain. Like a real invisible mountain made of spelling words, math problems, and very confusing silent e’s. I almost cried in my pencil pouch.
But then I remembered: God is with me, even in the tiny battles.
So I prayed. I took a deep breath. I imagined myself in a bunny-sized helmet with a Bible verse shield.
And I kept going.
That’s what soldiers do.
💭 Questions for Your Bunny Brigade
- What makes it hard for you to keep going sometimes?
- Can you think of a time you felt overwhelmed but prayed and finished strong?
- What would your soldier armor look like if God helped design it just for you?
💡 Remember: real strength doesn’t come from muscles or medals—it comes from knowing you’re loved by a God who never leaves your side.
🏃♀️ Discipline Like an Athlete (Even If You Trip Over Your Own Shoelaces)
Did you know being a Christian is kind of like being an athlete? 🏅
Except instead of shiny trophies, we’re running for a prize called eternal life, and instead of protein shakes, we fuel up on Bible verses, prayer time, and little acts of kindness. (Although Fluffernutter says carrot snacks still count.)
Daddy explained it like this:
“Discipline means training your heart. You set aside time to talk to God, read His Word, and practice living like Jesus taught us—even when your brain wants to nap instead.”
🎹 Practicing Faith Just Like Practicing Piano
Ariel nodded super seriously and said, “It’s like my piano practice. If I skip too many days, I start forgetting my songs!” 🎶
I gasped and whispered, “What if I forget my favorite memory verse and accidentally sing it like a jellybean jingle?”
She blinked. “That might actually help you remember it.”
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training… They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” —1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV)
🏋️♀️ Faith Training = Bible Crunches + Prayer Jumps
Yaya leaned in and said something SUPER wow:
“Athletes don’t win without effort. Neither do we. Every prayer, every verse, every time you choose kindness—it’s part of your training. It makes your soul stronger.”
So guess what? I made myself a sparkle-powered faith routine!
It includes:
- 🧡 One prayer while brushing my hair
- 💬 One Bible verse while brushing my teeth
- 📓 One page of doodle journaling about something Jesus-y
- 🐰 And at least three bunny hops of joy
Just like athletes prepare for the big game, I’m preparing my heart for big faith adventures.
💭 Your Turn to Train Like a Champion!
- What’s one “training move” you could add to your day to grow closer to Jesus?
- Can you think of a time when being disciplined helped you finish something important?
- What kind of faith crown are YOU running toward?
💡 Remember: Real discipline isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up, one prayer at a time, even if you still wear mismatched socks.
🌱 Patience Like a Farmer (Especially If Your Crops Are Jellybeans)
Farming is basically a super slow kind of magic. You dig. You plant. You water. You wait. And wait. And maybe scream at the dirt a little. Then… BOOM—something grows! 🌼
Yaya says farmers have to be super patient, even when the ground looks like a big ol’ “nothing is happening” pancake.
“Sometimes,” she told us, “we don’t see the results of our faith right away. But like farmers, we trust that God is working—even underground, even in silence, even when the garden looks empty.”
“Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” —Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)
🐌 God’s Timing Is Like a Snail Race… That Wins
Ariel tilted her head sideways (like she does when she’s thinking super hard) and asked,
“So even when I don’t see God changing things… He’s still growing something in me?”
YES. Yes, Ariel. YES with capital jellybeans. 🎉
Yaya told us about the time she planted flower seeds and waited weeks before anything peeked up. And when those tiny green curls finally poked through, she gasped and whispered, “God did it. He made it beautiful in His time.”
I thought about my own secret dreams—like becoming a kindness champion, or writing a bunny Bible comic, or maybe one day petting a cloud.
And I realized: God’s working on me too, even when I can’t see it yet.
🧺 What I’m Planting (Besides Carrots)
Now, I try to plant good things every day:
- 💌 Kind words
- 🙏 Prayers for my friends
- 🌟 Patience (especially when I want to shout during math)
- 🎨 Hope (painted with sparkles, of course)
Because every little act of faith is like planting a seed in God’s garden. And someday? It’ll bloom into something totally whoa-worthy.
💭 Let’s Grow in Patience Together!
- What’s something you’re waiting for God to do in your life?
- Can you think of a “faith seed” you’ve planted lately?
- How can you stay hopeful when things take a long time?
💡 Reminder: Farmers don’t rush the rain. They trust the season. And so can we.
🐰 How I’m Training Like a Soldier, Athlete, and Farmer for Jesus!
Okay, so guess what? I made myself a Super Official Sparkle Plan to grow stronger in faith—like a praying soldier, a Bible-athlete, and a seed-planting farmer all rolled into one jellybean-powered girl. 🍬💪🌱
I even drew tiny doodles for each one in my journal. (Fluffernutter helped. He’s in charge of carrots and motivation.)
🪖 Be a Soldier: Pray Like You’re on a Mission
I’m starting each day with a “soldier prayer”—asking God for bravery and focus before I even get out of bed.
Sometimes I say, “Jesus, help me not to cry if the syrup touches my eggs.”
Other times I say, “Give me Your strength when I feel wobbly about math.”
“Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” —2 Timothy 2:1 (NKJV)
When hard things happen, I don’t run and hide (unless I’m playing hide-and-seek). I stay anchored in God’s promises—just like a faithful soldier on a holy mission.
🏃♀️ Be an Athlete: Train Your Faith Muscles
Athletes don’t skip practice, right? So I made a Bible study schedule!
Every day, I do one of these:
- 📖 Read a verse and doodle it
- 🎶 Make up a worship song about that verse
- 💬 Ask Ariel deep questions like “Did Jesus invent knees?”
“Run in such a way that you may obtain the prize.” —1 Corinthians 9:24 (NKJV)
Bible time isn’t just homework—it’s my Jesus Gym. I stretch my heart, build trust muscles, and sometimes sweat a little when the verse makes me think really hard.
🌱 Be a Farmer: Wait, Work, and Wiggle
This one’s the slowest—but maybe the most important.
Farmers don’t rush. They water and wait and trust. I’m trying to be patient too—especially when Ariel’s talking too long and I want my turn.
I plant little seeds every day:
- 🧺 Helping with chores (even the ones that don’t sparkle)
- 🐢 Being slow to speak and quick to hug
- 💡 Letting God teach me stuff instead of pretending I already know it
“Let us not grow weary while doing good.” —Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)
Fluffernutter says patience is “like baking invisible cookies—you know they’re in there, even if you can’t smell them yet.”
🏅 Craft Time: Make Your Own Faithfulness Medal of Bravery!
Let’s make something amazing today—a Faithfulness Medal that reminds you to stay strong like a soldier, focused like an athlete, and patient like a farmer. (Bonus points if you add glitter and bunny ears. Fluffernutter insists. 🐰✨)
This craft is perfect for any brave kid learning to endure with Jesus, even when school gets tricky, chores feel never-ending, or you really want to skip your Bible reading and eat waffles instead.
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” —2 Timothy 2:3 (KJV)
🎨 What You’ll Need:
- ✂️ Paper or cardboard (recycled cereal boxes = bonus!)
- 🖍️ Markers, crayons, stickers, or shiny foil
- 📖 Your favorite Bible verse about strength or patience
- 🧵 Ribbon or string (optional, if you want to wear it superhero-style!)
✨ How to Make Your Faith Medal:
- Cut Out Your Shape
Choose a circle, star, bunny head, or lightning bolt—anything medal-y!
Alice Tip: I made mine a wobbly heart that looks like it got brave during a storm. - Write Your Power Verse
Use a verse like 2 Timothy 2:3 or pick your own!
Maybe something like:- “Let us not grow weary in doing good…” (Galatians 6:9)
- “Run in such a way as to get the prize!” (1 Corinthians 9:24)
- Decorate Like You Mean It
Add swirls, stickers, bunny footprints, sparkles, or a tiny drawing of your face with determination eyebrows. - Hang It Up or Wear It Proud
Tape it on your wall, wear it on your shirt, or hang it by your prayer corner.
It’ll remind you: You are brave. You are growing. You are not giving up.
💭 Let’s Talk and Create!
- What color is your faithfulness medal? What does it stand for?
- Which Bible verse gives you the most courage when life feels hard?
- Who in your family or church would YOU give a medal of faithfulness to?
💡 Every time you see your medal, remember: God’s grace is your strength, and you’re running your race with Him beside you—every step, every hop, every heart-bounce.
🙏 A Prayer for Strength (With Bunny Ears On)
Here’s the bedtime prayer I whispered last night while Fluffernutter snuggled beside me with his ears all floppy and his eyes half-snoozy.
We called it our “Brave Bunny Battle Prayer.” And it went something like this…
🐰💬 My Prayer to Jesus:
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for being our forever Coach-King-Gardener-Friend. 💖
Help me to be strong like a soldier when things feel hard or confusing—like when I forget how to spell “perseverance” or when I’m scared to try something new.
Help me to be focused like an athlete who keeps showing up, even when practice feels tiring and my socks don’t match.
Help me to be patient like a farmer, trusting You to grow good things in me—even if I can’t see them yet.
When I fall down (especially in my heart), pick me back up and remind me: You are my strength.
When things feel messy, loud, or stormy, help me hold Your promises like a flashlight in the dark.
Please remind me that You never leave, not even on days when I feel like a floppy pancake.
Let our family help each other grow—like a garden full of hugs and prayers and peanut butter sandwiches. 🍞
Teach me to encourage others, even if they don’t have a Fluffernutter. (I’ll share mine if they need.)
Give me faith that hops, love that sticks, and courage that glows—like a night-light powered by Heaven. ✨
And thank You, Jesus, for being so full of grace that You keep loving us through every wobble and worry.
In Your strong and sparkly name,
Amen. 🐾
💭 Family Prayer Talk:
- What would your “soldier, athlete, and farmer” prayer sound like?
- When do you feel most brave with Jesus by your side?
- Can you think of a time when someone prayed for you and it helped you feel stronger?
💡 Prayer doesn’t have to be fancy or perfect—it just has to be real and from your heart.
Jesus loves when we talk to Him—even with sticky fingers and sleepy eyes.
🌟 Your Turn! Let’s Grow Strong in Faith Together 🐰💖
Okay, friend—it’s your turn now!
How will you stay strong in your faith this week?
Will you:
- 🏅 Make a Faithfulness Medal to remind your heart of God’s promises?
- 📖 Memorize a brave Bible verse like a truth warrior?
- 🌱 Wait patiently like a farmer while trusting God’s plan is growing underground?
Every teeny-tiny step counts—even ones wrapped in scribbles, snack crumbs, or glitter glue.
“Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” —Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV)
💬 Let’s Cheer Each Other On!
You could:
- 🧡 Start a Gratitude Journal and write 3 sparkly things you’re thankful for
- 🙏 Set a special “Jesus Time” each day—maybe in the morning, or while hugging your stuffed bunny
- 📝 Doodle a Faith Tracker with stickers for each prayer, verse, or kind thing you do
- 🤝 Call a friend and say, “Wanna talk about how we’re following Jesus this week?”
Even telling someone, “Hey! You’re doing a good job loving God!” can be the kind of encouragement that grows sunshine in their heart.
🎈 Faith Isn’t a Solo Adventure
Fluffernutter says faith is better with a team—and I agree. That’s why we share, support, and sparkle together. Maybe you can join a local kids’ Bible group, help your church with a craft night, or invite your family to do a memory verse challenge!
Here’s a fun one to start:
“Let us not become weary in doing good…” —Galatians 6:9
Because doing good = growing strong. Even if it’s one bunny hop at a time. 🐾
I’d love to hear your stories! You might inspire someone who’s feeling a little wobbly.
Let’s build each other up with love, hope, and bunny-sized bravery. 🐰✨
Until next time…
Keep praying. Keep planting. Keep hopping toward Jesus. 💖
With a heart full of sparkle and a backpack full of Bible verses,
Alice
