Little Sunday Story: Malulabelle's Map

Malulabelle's Map

by Ashley Karges

Feb 1, 2026

Matthew 5:1-12a                           

Themes:

- Jesus guides us on a path to holiness.

- His way leads us toward Heaven and gives meaning to our lives.

Malulabelle unfolded a large map she found at home. She loved the light greens, blues and tans covering the page. She traced her finger along the lines that were roads. She searched for lakes and rivers. Some of the towns had funny names that made her giggle.

“This is where we live, Coconut!” Malulabelle’s fluffy pup, Coconut, pounced toward the map.

“Ruff!” He wiggled and wagged. Then he snuggled next to Malulabelle. He was a good boy.

“I need to draw a map for school, Coconut. I think it will be a fun project. You can help! We’ll start tomorrow.”

The rest of the evening, Malulabelle envisioned sketches for her map.

She would create poofy trees, square houses, and a pointy church. She knew which crayons would be the perfect colors for each. In that moment, she wanted to share her excitement with Jesus.

“Dear Jesus. I’ve decided I really like maps, because they guide us on a journey.”

At bedtime, Malulabelle tucked under cozy covers with her pink bible. She flipped through the pages. As she read, her heart fluttered. She felt loved. This gave her a new thought.

“Jesus, the bible is like a map too! Your Word is a guide for my soul. And that is a special gift. Thank you, Jesus.”

Has a story about Jesus ever touched your heart? Reading about Jesus brings us closer to Him. He teaches us how to live and love. You can be a guide too, like Jesus. Share with a friend what you’ve learned about Him!