Little Sunday Story: Little Hurt

Little Hurt

by Ashley Karges

May 31, 2026

John 3:16-18

- God sent us the greatest gift of love – his Son! – to heal and restore our souls.

“Ouch!” Malulabelle tripped during a round of hopscotch. A fresh scrape stung her knee. She held back tears.

“Here’s a band aid,” offered a little neighbor friend, Ollie.

“Oh, thank you, Ollie. I’ll be Ok.”

The next day, Malulabelle ran to greet her friends down the street. She winced when her knee bent. It was tender.

“Malulabelle, your knee!” Ollie pointed to a purplish bruise that appeared overnight. Can you still play hopscotch with us?”

“Yes! Don’t worry about me. I’ll take it slow.”

Malulabelle couldn’t play like she wanted to, but her heart was happy being with friends. They hopped, skipped and giggled as the afternoon sun moved through the sky.

“Let’s meet again tomorrow!” they promised each other.

Malulabelle tucked under her cozy covers that night and thought about her day. She folded her hands to pray.

“Jesus, I had a lot of fun today with Ollie and the others. My favorite part was watching everyone hopscotch in slow motion like me!” She giggled again. “But hopefully I’ll be able to move faster soon.”

Malulabelle touched her skinned knee. She had a new thought. She prayed again.

“Jesus, it’s hard to wait for my knee to get better. But I also know you are taking care of me. Healing is your specialty! You are making my knee stronger, and my heart stronger as I wait. Thank you, Jesus. I will be patient and take care of myself. I know you will make me even better than before.”

Sometimes we must face a ‘hurt’ before we can ‘heal.’ This can be hard! But Jesus walks beside us on our journey. Perhaps you can imagine him holding your hand or even giving you a piggyback ride! As you pray, know that Jesus is filled with love and mercy, and he longs for a close friendship with you.