Amelia and the Unicorn Parade

Chapter Seven: Iris’s Unicorn Parade

Amelia Jean Stratton was finally feeling better after her flu ordeal, which meant two things: she could go back to school, and Spark was already plotting her next “brilliant” idea.

This time, the chaos began over breakfast.

“I’ve decided to host a parade,” Spark announced, hopping onto the counter and dramatically waving a spoon like a baton.

Amelia, who was halfway through her bowl of cereal, groaned. “A parade? Why?”

“Why not?” Spark countered, shrinking to hamster size and sitting daintily in a coffee cup. “Iris suggested it, and I think it’s an excellent idea. Who doesn’t love a parade?”

Iris, perched in her booster seat, clapped her hands excitedly. “Parade! Parade!”

Elias looked up from his plate of eggs. “This sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.”

“Exactly,” Amelia muttered, glaring at Spark.

Dad strolled into the kitchen, coffee mug in hand. “What’s this about a parade?”

“Spark’s throwing one,” Amelia said flatly.

“A small, tasteful procession,” Spark corrected. “Nothing too extravagant. Just a few floats, some glitter cannons, maybe a marching band.”

Dad paused mid-sip. “Did you just say glitter cannons?”

“Don’t worry,” Spark said, waving a hoof. “They’re biodegradable.”

“Absolutely not,” Mom said, walking in with her no-nonsense face. “No glitter. No cannons. No parades.”

Iris frowned, crossing her arms. “No parade, no breakfast.”

“Here we go again,” Dad muttered.

Mom sighed. “Fine. You can have a parade, but it stays in the backyard, and it better not turn into another ‘glitter incident.’”

Spark beamed. “Victory!”

Amelia put her head in her hands. “We’re all going to regret this.”

The Planning Phase

Spark wasted no time assembling her “parade team.”

“Iris,” Spark declared, pacing across the backyard like a general planning a battle, “you will be the Grand Marshal. Your duties include waving adorably and being showered with applause.”

Iris nodded solemnly, as if this were the most important mission of her life.

“Amelia,” Spark continued, “you’re in charge of float design. I expect creativity and sparkle.”

“Why do I have to help?” Amelia protested.

“Because you’re my favorite mortal, obviously,” Spark replied, as if it were the most logical thing in the world.

“Great,” Amelia muttered. “Can’t wait.”

“And Elias,” Spark said, turning to him with a sly grin, “you’re in charge of logistics.”

“Logistics?” Elias repeated suspiciously. “What does that mean?”

“It means you get to make sure nothing falls apart,” Spark said cheerfully.

Elias scowled. “So I’m basically the cleanup crew?”

“Exactly,” Spark said, clapping her hooves.

Elias groaned. “I hate everything about this.”

The Parade of Chaos

By the time the parade began, the backyard looked like a craft store had exploded. Spark had conjured two makeshift floats—one made entirely of balloons and another that suspiciously resembled the family’s lawnmower covered in streamers.

Iris stood proudly on the balloon float, waving her scepter (a spatula she had “borrowed” from the kitchen). Amelia sat on the other float, glaring at Spark.

“This is ridiculous,” Amelia muttered.

“Ridiculously fun,” Spark corrected, adjusting her tiara.

Elias was stuck walking behind the floats with a broom, grumbling about “parade logistics” as he swept up confetti.

Mom and Dad watched from the porch, their expressions a mix of amusement and concern.

“This is surprisingly tame,” Mom said.

“Don’t jinx it,” Dad replied.

Enter the Glitter Cannons

Just as the parade reached its grand finale, Spark made her move.

“And now,” Spark announced, her horn glowing, “for the pièce de résistance!”

“Spark,” Amelia said warningly, “what are you doing?”

“Relax, Amelia Jean,” Spark said, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “It’s just a little sparkle enhancement.”

Before anyone could stop her, Spark unleashed two glitter cannons that sent a shimmering cloud of sparkles into the air. The backyard sparkled like a disco ball in the sunlight.

“SPARK!” Mom yelled, her hands flying to her head. “What did I just say about glitter?!”

“It’s biodegradable!” Spark called back, grinning.

“Amelia,” Elias muttered, brushing glitter out of his hair, “why do we put up with her?”

Amelia sighed, but a small smile crept onto her face. “Because she’s Spark. And honestly, I think we’d miss her if she wasn’t around.”

Spark trotted up to them, still beaming. “See? Even the skeptics are starting to appreciate my genius.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Elias said, rolling his eyes.

Dad walked over, inspecting the glitter-covered lawn. “Well, at least the grass looks festive.”

“I call that a win,” Spark said proudly.

Lessons in Glitter and Family

As the sun set, the Stratton backyard still sparkled faintly in the fading light. The kids sat on the porch steps, exhausted but laughing as they recounted the day’s chaos.

Mom walked out with a broom, handing it to Spark. “Since this was your idea, you’re helping clean up.”

Spark gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. “Me? Clean? But I’m the star of the parade!”

“And the star is also responsible for glitter removal,” Mom said firmly.

Spark sighed. “Fine. But I’m charging extra for manual labor.”

Amelia laughed, shaking her head. “You’re impossible, Spark.”

“And you, Amelia Jean,” Spark said, grinning, “are my favorite impossible mortal.”

As Spark began sweeping—sort of—Amelia leaned back against the porch railing, watching her family. Chaos or not, she wouldn’t trade this life for anything.

The End (or the beginning of the next glitter storm…)

Disclosure: These prose were written with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4o.

Jump for Joy

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024

Bible Verse:

“The Lord is my strength and my shield. In him my heart trusts, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I will give thanks to him.”

– Psalm 28:7 (EHV)

Devotion:

Have you ever been so excited about something that you wanted to jump for joy? Maybe you got an awesome birthday present or nailed a tricky math problem. David, who wrote this psalm, felt that way about God! He knew that no matter what battles he faced (and boy, did he have some big ones), God was his strength and shield. God kept him safe and gave him a reason to sing for joy.

The good news is, that same God is your strength and shield, too! When life feels hard, you can trust God to protect and help you. And when things are going great, don’t forget to let your heart “leap for joy” like David’s. It’s the perfect time to say, “Thank You, God!”—maybe even with a silly dance.

Questions:

1. What does it mean for God to be our shield?

2. Why did David’s heart leap for joy?

3. How can we give thanks to God in joyful ways?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for protecting us and giving us reasons to jump for joy. Help us to trust You when things are hard and to thank You with joyful hearts when You help us. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Create a joyful dance to thank God! Pick your favorite song or make up your own and perform it for your family. Share one thing you’re thankful for before you start dancing.

Full Bible Reference:

“The Lord is my strength and my shield. In him my heart trusts, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I will give thanks to him. The Lord is the strength of his people. He is a stronghold of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people, and bless the people that belong to you. Shepherd them, and carry them forever.”

– Psalm 28:7-9 (EHV)

Amelia and the Flu

Chapter Six: Unicorns Don’t Get Sick (But Amelia Does)

Amelia Jean Stratton lay on the couch, buried under a pile of blankets. Her nose was red, her head throbbed, and she was convinced she might actually be dying—or at least turning into a human tissue dispenser.

“Mo-oooom,” she croaked, her voice barely above a whisper. “I think I need ice cream. For… medical reasons.”

Mom appeared in the doorway, holding a steaming cup of tea. “Amelia, you’ve got the flu, not a cavity. No ice cream.”

“Fine,” Amelia muttered dramatically, sinking deeper into the couch.

“Amelia Jean,” Spark announced, trotting into the living room, her mane shimmering like she’d just stepped out of a shampoo commercial. “Why are you moping? Illness is no excuse for gloominess!”

“Spark, I’m sick,” Amelia groaned. “It’s not moping. It’s suffering.”

“Humans are so dramatic,” Spark said, hopping onto the arm of the couch and shrinking herself down to hamster size. “If you’re stuck at home, we should make the most of it! Video games, all day!”

Amelia perked up slightly. “Video games?”

“No,” Mom interjected, giving Spark a look that could freeze lava. “She’s not spending the whole day staring at a screen. You’re going to rest and read some books.”

Spark tilted her tiny head. “Books? You mean those ancient, paper-based things?”

“Yes,” Mom said firmly, placing a stack of books on the coffee table. “These are Amelia’s favorites.”

Amelia groaned. “Mom, I’ve already read all of those.”

“Well, then, maybe Spark can find you something new,” Mom said with a raised eyebrow, daring Spark to argue.

Spark’s eyes lit up with a mischievous glint. “Challenge accepted.”

Mom left the room, and Spark hopped onto the coffee table. “Books it is! Stand back, Amelia Jean. Prepare to be amazed!”

The Fourth Wall Break (and Some Sparkle)

With a flash of her horn, Spark conjured a stack of books onto the coffee table. Amelia wiped her bleary eyes and squinted at the titles.

“Amelia and Her Unicorn’s Glittery Adventures? What is this?”

“Classic literature,” Spark said, puffing out her chest. “Trust me, you’ll love it.”

Amelia picked up the first book and flipped it open. “Spark, this is literally about me. Look! Chapter One: Amelia Complains About Math.”

“Accurate, isn’t it?” Spark said proudly.

Amelia raised an eyebrow. “And what’s this one? How to Train Your Unicorn to Behave (Spoiler: It’s Impossible).”

Spark nodded solemnly. “A gripping tale of perseverance and inevitable failure. Very relatable.”

“And this?” Amelia held up a book titled The Unicorn Who Always Gets Her Way.

“That one’s autobiographical,” Spark said with a wink.

Amelia groaned, tossing the book onto the pile. “These aren’t real books, Spark. They’re just ways for you to show off.”

Spark gasped, clutching her chest like she’d been mortally wounded. “Amelia Jean, I am deeply offended. These are works of art! Look, this one even has illustrations.”

Amelia flipped through the pages of The Glitter Revolution and paused. “Wait, is this about Googlyopia?”

“Ah,” Spark said, her voice reverent. “A tale for the ages.”

Amelia rolled her eyes. “Mom’s going to kill me if I don’t actually read something normal.”

Mom Returns

A few minutes later, Mom reappeared with a fresh cup of tea and a suspiciously knowing look.

“Did Spark find you something to read?” she asked.

Amelia held up The Unicorn Who Always Gets Her Way. “Apparently, this is now considered classic literature.”

Mom’s eyebrow shot up as she glanced at Spark. “Is this what I think it is?”

“An undeniable masterpiece?” Spark offered.

“It’s not staying on the bookshelf,” Mom said flatly.

“Fair enough,” Spark said, hopping down from the coffee table. “I’ll just write the sequel.”

Amelia buried her face in her hands. “I’m going to be sick forever, aren’t I?”

Lessons in “Rest”

By the end of the day, Amelia was too tired to argue anymore. She lay back on the couch, half-watching as Spark conjured another pile of ridiculous books, each more absurd than the last.

“Amelia and the Case of the Stubborn Math Teacher?”

“A thriller,” Spark said, not looking up from her latest creation.

“101 Ways to Sparkle in Any Situation?”

“A self-help guide.”

Amelia groaned. “You’re impossible.”

“And you,” Spark said with a grin, “are my favorite patient.”

As Amelia drifted off to sleep, Spark curled up on the coffee table, humming a tune that sounded suspiciously like Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Mom walked in one last time, pausing to adjust Amelia’s blanket. She glanced at Spark and sighed. “You know, for all your chaos, you’re not so bad.”

Spark smirked. “Don’t let that get out. I have a reputation to maintain.”

Mom rolled her eyes, but she was smiling as she left the room.

The End (until the sequel hits the shelves…)

Disclosure: These prose were written with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4o.

God’s Big Plans

Monday, Dec. 2, 2024

Bible Verse:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give you peace, not disaster, plans to give you hope and a future.”

– Jeremiah 29:11 (EHV)

Devotion:

Do you ever feel like your day is just a mess? Maybe your favorite shirt is in the laundry, your homework is extra hard, or you spilled juice all over the table (again). Sometimes life feels like it’s just one disaster after another! God’s people in Jeremiah’s time probably felt the same way. They were far from home and thought God had forgotten about them.

But God sent them a message through Jeremiah: “I’ve got big plans for you!” He wasn’t talking about easy plans or quick fixes, but plans that gave them something incredible—hope and a future. God has plans for you, too! When life gets messy, remember that God sees the bigger picture. Like a puzzle piece that doesn’t make sense until it fits just right, God’s plans come together perfectly in the end. And guess what? You’re part of His masterpiece.

Questions:

1. What plans did God promise to His people in Jeremiah’s time?

2. How can we trust God’s plans when life feels messy?

3. What does hope in God’s plans look like for you?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for having amazing plans for us, even when life feels messy or confusing. Help us to trust You and remember that Your plans are always full of hope. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Draw a puzzle! On one side of a paper, write “God’s Plans” and on the other, write “My Hope.” Color and cut out the puzzle pieces. Share how each piece connects to hope in your life.

Full Bible Reference:

“This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years have completed for Babylon, I will come for you and fulfill my gracious word to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give you peace, not disaster, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come to pray to me, and I will listen to you. When you seek me, you will find me, when you will seek me with all your heart. I will let you find me, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back from your exile.’”

– Jeremiah 29:10-14 (EHV)

Amelia and the Sparkle Queen

Chapter Five: The Skeptic, The Sidekick, and The Sparkle Queen

Amelia Jean Stratton had a lot of questions about life lately.

Why did math have to involve so many numbers? Why did Iris feel the need to narrate her every waking thought like she was the star of her own preschool reality show? And most importantly, why did Spark insist on sitting in the fruit bowl?

“Spark, get out of there,” Amelia said, pointing her spoon at the unicorn currently curled up like a cat on the counter, her mane trailing into the bananas.

Spark yawned dramatically. “I was promised a throne of gold, but this ceramic fruit vessel will suffice for now.”

Dad walked into the kitchen, holding his coffee mug. He paused, staring at Spark, then glanced at Amelia. “Is that… a unicorn? Or am I just really tired?”

Amelia froze. This was it. The moment she’d been dreading. How do you explain a cosmic, size-shifting unicorn to your dad before he’s had his caffeine?

Before she could answer, Spark casually shrank to the size of a housecat. “Good morning, mortal father figure. Delightful weather we’re having.”

Dad stared at her, then looked at his coffee. “I think I need to switch to decaf.”

Mom breezed in, adjusting her purse strap. “Did anyone else notice the spaghetti all over the driveway?”

Elias popped his head into the kitchen, his face bright with enthusiasm. “That’s not spaghetti. That’s scientific progress.”

Amelia smirked. “More like short-stack progress.”

Elias glared. “You’re barely taller than me, Amelia.”

“And yet,” Amelia said, leaning on the counter with mock pity, “I am taller.”

Mom sighed. “Can’t we have one morning without chaos?” She looked directly at Spark, now attempting to nap inside the fruit bowl. “And who invited the unicorn?”

“She’s part of the chaos package,” Amelia mumbled.

Spark perked up. “I prefer to think of myself as the sparkle upgrade.”

Sparkle Shenanigans

The day started like any other: Amelia trying to manage Spark’s antics while Elias grew increasingly skeptical.

“Okay, Spark,” Amelia said as they walked to the bus stop, “we need a plan for today. No glitter explosions, no magical ‘enhancements,’ and definitely no making my teacher’s coffee float again.”

Spark, now walking at Amelia’s side at a perfectly normal horse size, flicked her tail. “Amelia Jean, where’s the fun in that?”

“The fun,” Elias interrupted, lugging his backpack, “is in not getting detention. Again.”

“Detention is a construct,” Spark declared, tossing her shimmering mane.

Amelia tried not to laugh. She was starting to realize Spark’s ridiculous ideas were way more fun than they had any right to be.

“What about Iris?” Spark asked. “Can I stop by preschool again? Those tiny humans truly appreciate my majesty.”

“No,” Elias said firmly. “Preschool can’t handle another ‘incident.’”

“I don’t know,” Amelia said, grinning. “Pajama day would probably love some cosmic flair.”

Elias spun on his heel. “Amelia, you’re supposed to be the responsible one!”

“Am I, though?” Amelia replied, smirking.

Spark laughed, a sound like a wind chime that had swallowed a karaoke machine. “Oh, Elias. You doubt me now, but someday, you’ll be begging for my assistance.”

“Doubt you?” Elias snorted. “You turned our trampoline into a portal to the neighbor’s yard!”

“You’re welcome,” Spark said proudly.

The Great Pajama Parade

When Iris found out Spark wasn’t going to preschool, she staged a protest.

“No unicorn, no snacks!” she declared, crossing her arms.

“Iris,” Mom said patiently, kneeling to her level, “if you don’t eat your snacks, you’ll be hungry all day.”

“NO UNICORN, NO SNACKS!” Iris shouted louder, stomping her tiny foot.

Dad, now sipping what he called “emergency coffee,” muttered, “It’s like negotiating with a tiny union boss.”

Mom sighed. “Fine. Spark can go to preschool for an hour, but no magic. Got it?”

Spark saluted with one hoof. “Scout’s honor!”

At preschool, Spark immediately caused a stir. This time, she had shrunk down to Iris’s height and was wearing—of all things—a set of rainbow-striped pajamas that Amelia had hastily constructed out of an old pillowcase.

“I’m here for the festivities!” Spark announced, spinning in a circle.

The preschoolers lost their minds.

“SPARKLE!” one kid screamed, throwing crayons into the air like confetti.

Amelia watched from the corner, shaking her head. “This is going to end in glitter. I just know it.”

It didn’t take long. During storytime, Spark used her horn to make the pictures in the book actually move. The preschoolers were so enchanted that they demanded an encore, which led to Spark animating the craft table supplies.

By the time the teacher returned from her coffee break, the glue sticks were marching in formation, the scissors were doing synchronized dancing, and the googly eyes had declared themselves an independent nation.

Elias’s Skepticism Reaches New Heights

That evening, Elias was fuming.

“You’re enabling her,” he accused Amelia as they sat in the living room.

“Me?” Amelia said innocently. “Spark’s her own unicorn. I’m just here for the ride.”

Spark, now the size of a small dog, was lounging on the couch eating popcorn out of a mixing bowl. “Enabling is such a negative word. I prefer to think of it as inspiring.”

“Inspiring chaos,” Elias muttered.

“Chaos, creativity, potato, potahto,” Spark said with a shrug.

Amelia laughed. “Oh, come on, Elias. You have to admit she’s fun.”

“Fun doesn’t explain how the spaghetti catapult now has googly eyes,” Elias retorted.

“That,” Spark said, grinning, “was a gift from the nation of Googlyopia. They send their regards.”

Dad walked into the room, pointing toward the garage. “Okay, who’s responsible for the glitter trail by the car?”

Spark immediately shrank to hamster size and dove into the popcorn bowl.

Amelia and Elias exchanged a look.

“Probably Iris,” they said in unison.

Mom, overhearing from the kitchen, sighed. “We need to establish some ground rules for this family. Step one: No unicorns near the craft supplies.”

Amelia smirked. “Good luck enforcing that.”

The End (for now…)

Disclosure: These prose were written with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4o.

The Candle of Hope

Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024

Bible Verse:

“But a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.”

– Isaiah 11:1 (EHV)

Devotion:

Imagine you’re walking through the woods, and you spot a tree stump. It looks dead, like its tree days are long gone. But wait! Out of the middle, there’s a little green sprout poking up, like it’s saying, “Hey, I’m not done yet!” That’s what Isaiah was talking about when he shared this verse. He wasn’t just talking about trees—he was talking about hope.

God’s people were feeling like a bunch of stumps. They’d messed up big time—turning away from God, making bad choices, and losing sight of His promises. Things looked pretty bleak, but God had a surprise plan. From the “stump” of Jesse’s family (King David’s great-great-grandpa), a Savior would come. That Savior is Jesus! He’s the green sprout growing up to bring new life, hope, and joy to everyone. So next time you feel like a tree stump (maybe you’ve had a rough day or made a mistake), remember: God’s not done with you. Just like the little green shoot, hope is always growing when Jesus is in the picture.

Questions:

1. Who is Jesse, and why is his family important?

2. What does the green shoot from the stump remind us about God’s promises?

3. How does Jesus give us hope when we’re having a hard time?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for being our hope, even when life feels tough. Help us to remember that You always keep Your promises. Show us how to share Your hope with others during this Advent season. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Make your own “stump of Jesse”! Draw or craft a tree stump out of paper or cardboard. Then cut out a green shoot (or a small branch from a real tree) to tape or glue to the stump. Talk with your family about how Jesus is our hope that keeps growing!

Full Bible Reference:

“A shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will be delighted with the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, nor will he render decisions based on what he hears with his ears, but with righteousness he will judge the poor, and he will render fair decisions in favor of the humble of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked. Righteousness will be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his hips. The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, the calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together, and a little child will lead them. The cow and the bear will graze together, and their young ones will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the cattle. The nursing child will play near a cobra’s hole, and the weaned child will put his hand into a viper’s den. They will not hurt or destroy anywhere on my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. This is what will happen on that day: The peoples will seek the Root of Jesse, who will be standing like a banner for the peoples. His resting place will be glorious.”

– Isaiah 11:1-10 (EHV)

Amelia and the Big Mess

Chapter Four: Spark’s Big Ideas (and Bigger Messes)

It was Saturday morning in the Stratton household, which meant two things: Elias was outside launching spaghetti from his catapult, and Iris was attempting to “clean” the house by smearing bubble soap on every surface she could reach.

Amelia Jean Stratton sat at the kitchen table, nibbling on a piece of toast while trying to pretend her family wasn’t ridiculous.

“Elias!” Dad called from the doorway. “Why is there a noodle stuck to the garage door?”

“That’s my trajectory test!” Elias shouted back.

“It’s a noodle!”

“A very aerodynamic noodle,” Elias clarified, with just the right amount of smugness to make Amelia roll her eyes.

Mom walked into the kitchen, holding Iris under one arm like a wiggly, soapy football. “Amelia, can you watch Spark today? I have to clean up Bubblepalooza over here.”

Amelia sighed. “Why can’t Elias watch her?”

“Because Elias plus Spark equals spaghetti explosions,” Mom replied flatly.

“Fair,” Amelia admitted, glancing at the unicorn currently lounging on the counter. Spark had once again shrunk herself to the size of a cat, but she’d also managed to wrap herself in a dish towel like a toga.

“Amelia Jean,” Spark said, dramatically holding a carrot like a scepter, “I am ready for today’s adventures!”

“No adventures,” Amelia said firmly. “You’re staying inside and out of trouble.”

Spark gasped, clutching her carrot-scepter to her chest. “Inside? On a Saturday? Amelia Jean, that’s practically a crime against the cosmos!”

“It’s either that,” Amelia said, pointing at her, “or you’re cleaning spaghetti off the garage.”

Spark grimaced. “Fine. But I reserve the right to complain.”

The Plan That Should’ve Worked

Amelia decided the safest place for Spark was her room.

“Just… hang out here,” Amelia said, pointing to her desk. “No glitter, no glowing, no… whatever it is you do when I’m not looking.”

Spark hopped onto the desk, her tail swishing. “You wound me, Amelia. I am the very picture of restraint.”

“Right,” Amelia muttered.

For the first twenty minutes, things were quiet. Amelia sat on her bed, flipping through a library book, while Spark played with a stack of trading cards Iris had left behind.

But then Spark got an idea.

“Amelia Jean,” Spark said, her horn glowing faintly, “I believe your room could use some… enhancements.”

Amelia looked up from her book. “Enhancements?”

Spark nodded. “This décor is functional but uninspired. You deserve something more… cosmic.”

“Spark, no,” Amelia said, standing up. “No magic in my room!”

Spark grinned mischievously. “Too late.”

The Room Makeover

In a flash of light, Amelia’s room transformed. Her plain purple walls now shimmered with a galaxy pattern that moved and sparkled as if the Milky Way had decided to vacation in Wisconsin. Her bed floated a few inches off the ground, and her desk chair had turned into a throne made entirely of glittering stars.

“Ta-da!” Spark announced proudly.

Amelia stood frozen, her mouth hanging open. “Spark, what did you do?”

“I gave you the room of your dreams!” Spark said, gesturing grandly. “You’re welcome.”

“I didn’t ask for this!” Amelia snapped, pointing at the glowing constellation of a unicorn galloping across her ceiling.

“You didn’t have to ask,” Spark replied smugly. “I’m just that thoughtful.”

“Amelia!” Elias shouted from downstairs. “Why does it look like NASA exploded in your room?”

“Nothing!” Amelia yelled back, panicking. “It’s fine! Don’t come up here!”

Elias, of course, immediately stomped up the stairs.

“What in the—” he started, stopping in the doorway to stare at the spectacle. “Did Spark do this?”

“No,” Spark said, pretending to inspect her hoof. “It was definitely aliens.”

Elias turned to Amelia. “How do you live with her?”

“I don’t know!” Amelia wailed, gesturing at the glittering disaster that was her room.

Mom and Dad Step In

Mom appeared a few minutes later, carrying Iris, who was now wearing a colander on her head like a hat.

“What is going on in here?” Mom asked, her eyes narrowing as she took in the floating bed and glowing walls.

“Uh… science project?” Amelia said weakly.

“It’s art!” Spark declared.

Dad poked his head into the room, taking one look at the scene. “Is the bed supposed to be floating, or is that an accident?”

Spark grinned. “It’s intentional. Very feng shui.”

Mom pinched the bridge of her nose. “Spark, this is not what we meant when we said ‘stay out of trouble.’”

Spark sighed dramatically. “I was merely trying to inspire your daughter with the beauty of the cosmos.”

“Unfloat the bed,” Mom said.

“Fine,” Spark muttered, her horn glowing as the bed lowered back to the floor.

Lessons in Restraint (Sort Of)

By the end of the day, Amelia’s room was back to normal—mostly. There was still a faint glitter residue on the walls, and the constellation unicorn refused to leave the ceiling, claiming it had “squatter’s rights.”

“I told you,” Elias said, glaring at Amelia, “Spark is nothing but trouble.”

“Yeah, but she’s… fun trouble,” Amelia admitted, glancing at Spark, who was now curled up on her pillow like a smug cat.

“See?” Spark said, yawning. “Amelia Jean gets it. Life is better with a little sparkle.”

Amelia rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “Just… no more room makeovers, okay?”

“Agreed,” Spark said, closing her eyes. “Next time, I’ll focus on the garage.”

Amelia groaned. “I was kidding.”

The End (until Spark’s next idea…)

Disclosure: These prose were written with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4o.

Zacchaeus: Jesus Came to Save the Lost

Saturday, November 30th: Luke 19:1-10

Bible Verse:

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

— Luke 19:10 (EHV)

Devotion:

In this story, Jesus meets Zacchaeus, a man who had made a lot of bad choices in his life. Zacchaeus was a tax collector who had cheated people, and most people didn’t like him. But Jesus saw Zacchaeus up in a tree, and He called him by name. Jesus wanted to spend time with Zacchaeus, and that changed Zacchaeus’s life.

Zacchaeus was so happy to meet Jesus that he promised to make things right. Jesus came to seek and save people who were lost, just like Zacchaeus. No matter what we’ve done, Jesus wants to be with us, and He offers us forgiveness and love. When we meet Jesus, it changes our lives, just like it changed Zacchaeus’s.

Questions to think about:

1. Why did Jesus want to spend time with Zacchaeus, even though he had made bad choices?

2. How does it feel to know that Jesus loves you, no matter what you’ve done?

3. What can you do to show Jesus that you love Him too?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me, even when I make mistakes. Help me to follow You and to show others Your love and forgiveness. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Draw a picture of Zacchaeus in the tree, looking down at Jesus, who is calling his name.

Full Bible Reference:

“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’ But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’”

— Luke 19:1-10 (EHV)

Amelia and the Preschool Incident

Chapter Three: The Preschool Unicorn Incident

Amelia Jean Stratton had barely recovered from Spark’s latest round of chaos when her younger sister, Iris, made an announcement at breakfast.

“Spark’s coming to preschool today!” Iris declared, her mouth full of pancake.

“No, she’s not,” Amelia said, narrowing her eyes at Spark, who was casually perched on the counter—this time in the fruit bowl, again.

“Of course I am,” Spark said, shrinking down to Iris’s size and adjusting the tiara on her head. “It’s Pajama Day! How could I miss such an event?”

“You’re not going,” Amelia hissed. “The last time you showed up at preschool, you started a glitter revolution!”

“It was an artistic uprising,” Spark corrected. “Googlyopia thanks me for my service.”

“Iris,” Mom interjected, carrying a mug of coffee to the table, “you need to eat your breakfast and not invite magical creatures to school.”

“No unicorn, no snacks!” Iris shouted, crossing her arms and glaring with the ferocity of a union boss.

Dad raised an eyebrow over his coffee. “It’s like dealing with a four-year-old negotiator.”

“She is four,” Elias pointed out between bites of toast.

“Mom,” Amelia pleaded, pointing at Spark, “you can’t let her do this.”

Mom sighed, clearly out of patience. “Fine. Spark can come for one hour. One hour. No magic. No glitter. No… whatever it is you normally do.”

Spark saluted with a hoof. “I shall be the model of restraint.”

Amelia buried her face in her hands. “I’m doomed.”

The Great Preschool Adventure

When they arrived at preschool, Spark had already shifted herself down to Iris’s height and donned the most ridiculous outfit Amelia had ever seen: rainbow-striped pajamas and bunny slippers, which Spark claimed to have “borrowed” from Iris’s closet.

“Spark!” Amelia hissed as they walked into the classroom. “You’re supposed to blend in!”

“I am blending in,” Spark replied, striking a pose that sent her mane glittering in all directions. “Blending in fabulously.”

The preschoolers immediately swarmed her.

“SPARK!” one kid shouted, practically vibrating with excitement.

“She’s so shiny!”

“Can I ride her?”

“No rides today,” Spark said, holding up a hoof. “Today is about lounging, snacks, and the sacred art of Pajama Day.”

Amelia groaned. “This is going to be a disaster.”

Iris, meanwhile, was thrilled. “Come on, Spark! Let’s make friendship bracelets!”

“Lead the way, Princess Iris,” Spark said, trotting after her.

Snack Time: The Chaos Begins

It didn’t take long for Spark to forget her promise to Mom. Snack time was going fine—until Spark discovered the graham crackers.

“These are delicious!” Spark declared, chomping on a cracker with gusto. “Do humans know how amazing these are?”

“Yes,” Amelia muttered, watching Spark with growing dread.

Spark turned to the teacher, who was handing out juice boxes. “Excuse me, wise mortal, may I have more of these ‘graham crackers’ for my royal treasury?”

The teacher blinked. “Did that unicorn just… talk to me?”

“No!” Amelia said quickly, laughing awkwardly. “You must be hearing things!”

“Definitely,” Spark said, winking at Amelia.

The teacher stared for another second before mumbling, “I need a coffee,” and walking away.

“Crisis averted,” Spark said, brushing crumbs from her mane.

“Not really,” Amelia muttered.

Glitterpocalypse 2.0

The real chaos began during craft time. The preschoolers were making macaroni necklaces, but Spark had other ideas.

“Why settle for macaroni,” Spark said, her horn glowing, “when you could have stardust jewelry?”

Before Amelia could stop her, Spark unleashed a wave of glitter that coated the craft table—and most of the preschoolers—in shimmering sparkles.

“SPARK!” Amelia shouted, her hair now glitter-coated.

The preschoolers, however, were delighted.

“More sparkles!” one kid yelled.

“I’m a rainbow!” another cheered.

The teacher returned, took one look at the glitter-covered classroom, and sighed deeply. “I should’ve stayed in bed today.”

Amelia grabbed Spark by the mane and dragged her into the hallway. “What part of ‘no glitter’ did you not understand?”

“I restrained myself,” Spark said defensively. “There were no explosions this time!”

“You’re lucky Mom gave you an hour,” Amelia hissed. “Because it’s almost up!”

Spark nodded solemnly. “Then let us make this final minute the most glorious of all!”

Amelia groaned. “I hate when you say things like that.”

The Aftermath

When they got home, Mom was waiting by the door.

“Well?” she asked, arms crossed.

“Everything’s fine!” Amelia said quickly, trying to sound convincing.

Mom raised an eyebrow. “Why is there glitter in your hair?”

“Uh… art project?”

“Art project,” Mom repeated flatly.

From behind Amelia, Spark—now hamster-sized—poked her head out of Amelia’s backpack. “It was a glitter accident. Totally unavoidable.”

Mom sighed. “Amelia, you’re in charge of vacuuming the car tomorrow. And no more unicorns at preschool.”

“Agreed,” Amelia said, glaring at Spark.

Dad walked in, sipping his coffee. “Let me guess: another glitterpocalypse?”

“Pretty much,” Amelia replied.

“Great,” Dad said. “I’ll add more vacuum bags to the shopping list.”

As Amelia flopped onto her bed later that evening, Spark curled up on her pillow.

“You have to admit,” Spark said, grinning, “that was pretty spectacular.”

“Spectacularly ridiculous,” Amelia muttered, though she couldn’t help but smile a little.

“Ridiculous is just another word for fun,” Spark said, snuggling closer.

Amelia sighed. “You’re impossible.”

“And you,” Spark said with a wink, “are my favorite mortal.”

Amelia smiled despite herself. “Good night, Spark.”

“Good night, Amelia Jean. Dream of glitter.”

The End (for now, anyway!)

Disclosure: These prose were written with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4o.

Amelia and the Trouble with Cosmic Unicorns

Chapter Two: The Trouble with Cosmic Unicorns

Amelia Jean Stratton woke up to the sound of her younger sister, Iris, belting out Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star at the top of her lungs. This wasn’t unusual. Iris believed every moment of her life required a soundtrack.

Amelia groaned, pulling the blanket over her head. “Can’t she take her preschool musical act somewhere else?”

“Iris,” Mom’s voice called from the hallway, “please don’t climb the dresser while singing.”

Amelia sat up and yawned, glancing out the window. Spark was lying on the backyard trampoline, her mane shimmering in the sunlight. She had somehow managed to wedge herself into a yoga pose that shouldn’t be physically possible for a horse, let alone a unicorn.

“What’s she doing now?” Amelia muttered to herself.

By the time she shuffled into the kitchen, still half-asleep, Spark had shrunk herself to the size of a housecat and was lounging on the counter. A tiara from Iris’s dress-up box was perched jauntily on her head.

“Good morning, Amelia Jean,” Spark said, waving a tiny hoof. “Care for some royal company during breakfast?”

Amelia rubbed her eyes. “Why are you wearing a tiara?”

“Iris insisted. Apparently, I am now Queen of All Unicorns.”

“Seems legit,” Elias said, strolling into the kitchen and grabbing a string cheese from the fridge. He glanced at Amelia. “So, how’s life with your sparkly sidekick?”

Amelia gave him a withering look. “Oh, it’s fantastic. She’s already declared herself royalty and keeps sitting in the fruit bowl.”

Dad walked in, holding his ever-present coffee mug. He paused, staring at Spark. “Is that the same unicorn from yesterday?”

“Nope,” Spark said, her voice completely deadpan. “I’m her twin sister. Surprise.”

Dad stared at her for a long moment, then sipped his coffee. “I need to stop drinking the good stuff.”

Amelia’s New Normal

By the time they got to school, Amelia had resigned herself to the fact that Spark wasn’t going anywhere. In fact, Spark seemed to be settling in like she’d always been part of the family.

“You know the rules,” Amelia whispered as they walked toward the bus stop. “No magic, no glitter, and definitely no talking to my teacher.”

Spark, now her regular unicorn size, nodded solemnly. “Understood. I shall remain the pinnacle of discretion.”

“Discretion,” Elias muttered, slinging his backpack over his shoulder, “is not in her vocabulary.”

“It is now!” Spark said brightly. “I read a dictionary last night. Discretion: the act of being stealthy and fabulous. That’s me.”

Amelia facepalmed. “That’s not what it means.”

“Tomato, tomahto,” Spark said with a shrug, her mane sparkling in the morning sun.

When they reached the bus stop, Iris tugged on Spark’s mane. “Spark, can you come to preschool with me again? It’s Pajama Day!”

“No!” Amelia said quickly.

“Yes!” Spark said at the same time.

Iris’s face lit up. “You can wear my rainbow PJs!”

Spark grinned. “Sold.”

Amelia groaned. “You’re going to get me grounded for life.”

The School Day Shenanigans

Amelia’s plan for a quiet, Spark-free day fell apart almost immediately.

The first sign of trouble came during art class. Amelia was happily painting a picture of Buddy, their dog, when she heard a familiar voice.

“Amelia Jean! Look at you, an artist in the making!”

Amelia froze, her brush hovering in mid-air. She turned slowly to see Spark sitting on the supply cart, her horn glowing faintly as a line of markers danced in mid-air like synchronized swimmers.

“Spark!” Amelia hissed. “What are you doing here?”

“Enhancing the creative process,” Spark said cheerfully.

Amelia grabbed Spark’s mane and yanked her behind the easel. “You’re not supposed to be here!”

“I’m invisible to the rest of your class,” Spark said, winking. “Only you can see me. Relax, Amelia Jean. I’m practically a ninja.”

Amelia groaned. “If you’re a ninja, why are you juggling glitter glue?”

By the time recess rolled around, Spark had somehow managed to stay out of major trouble—until the soccer game started.

“Go long!” one of the fifth graders shouted, kicking the ball high into the air.

“Allow me!” Spark called out, galloping across the field. She leapt into the air, her horn glowing as she knocked the ball toward the goal.

The ball shot forward like a rocket, slammed into the net, and tore straight through it, embedding itself in the fence behind the field.

The playground fell silent.

“Did a unicorn just—” one kid began.

“Nope!” Amelia shouted, dragging Spark toward the jungle gym. “You’re imagining things. Soccer balls are just… super powerful these days!”

Spark beamed. “You’re welcome, Amelia Jean. I just scored the winning goal!”

“You also destroyed the equipment,” Amelia grumbled. “And now everyone’s staring.”

“Good thing they can’t see me,” Spark said smugly.

Amelia glared. “They can see the ball, Spark!”

“Oh,” Spark said, glancing at the fence. “Oops.”

Home Sweet Chaos

By the time they got home, Amelia was exhausted. She dumped her backpack by the door and collapsed onto the couch.

Elias strolled in after her, his arms crossed. “How was your day with Miss Sparkle-Trouble?”

“Terrible,” Amelia said into a pillow.

Spark, now shrunk down to hamster size, hopped onto the coffee table. “Terribly fun, you mean.”

Elias rolled his eyes. “I give it a week before the school bans her.”

“Never!” Spark declared, striking a heroic pose. “I am an unstoppable force of joy and glitter!”

Dad walked in, holding another mug of coffee. He stopped, stared at Spark, then sighed. “Iris, come get your hamster-unicorn thing before it breaks something.”

Amelia groaned. “This is my life now. Spark, stop posing dramatically and help me figure out my math homework.”

“Math?” Spark said, wrinkling her nose. “No thanks. I only deal in cosmic calculations.”

Amelia sat up, narrowing her eyes. “What’s a cosmic calculation?”

“Basically,” Spark said, grinning, “it’s whatever gets you out of math homework.”

Amelia couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay, Spark. Maybe you’re not all bad.”

“Not all bad?” Spark gasped. “Amelia Jean, I am all amazing.”

The End (But perhaps there will be more…)

Disclosure: These prose were written with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4o.