Come, Follow Me for Littles · August 31

A young child in modest ancient-Israel robes sitting on soft grass at sunrise with arms open wide and a happy upturned face, surrounded by wildflowers and a few small birds, warm golden light, peaceful and thankful.

Monday

Don’t Forget the Good Things

Today's idea Heavenly Father gives us good things every single day, and He loves us the way a kind father loves his child.

Can you think of one good thing that happened to you yesterday? Maybe a snuggle, or a snack you liked, or somebody who made you laugh.

A long time ago, David wrote a song about that very thing. He said, “Bless the Lord, O my soul” — which is a beautiful way of saying, “Thank you, Heavenly Father, with my whole heart.”

Then David added something important: don’t forget the good things. It is so easy to forget! But every warm bed, every friend, every sunny morning is a gift from Heavenly Father.

David said Heavenly Father is kind and patient, and that His love is as big as the sky is high above the ground.

And here is the part David loved best. He said Heavenly Father is tender with us the very same way a loving parent is tender with a little one who needs a hug.

You are His child. He notices you, and He is glad you are here.

A cheerful child in modest ancient-Israel robes standing in an open doorway of a warm stone house at sunrise, stretching arms toward a bright new morning, rolling green hills beyond, soft golden light, hopeful and joyful.

Tuesday

This Is the Day

Psalm 118

Today's idea Heavenly Father made today, and we can be glad in it.

Look out the window. Is it sunny? Cloudy? Windy? Whatever kind of day it is, it is brand new — and it has never happened before.

In the scriptures there is a song with a line people have been singing for thousands of years: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

That means today came from Heavenly Father. He made it and handed it to you, like a present with a bow on top.

The same song says Heavenly Father is our strength and our song, and that His kindness goes on and on and never runs out.

It also talks about builders choosing the most important stone for a house — the one that holds everything up straight and strong. That stone is Jesus. When we build our lives on Him, everything else stands up steady too.

So what will you do with this brand-new day? You get to fill it up.

A young child in modest ancient-Israel robes holding a small glowing clay oil lamp with both hands, walking along a winding stone path between olive trees and wildflowers, warm evening sun low in a soft pink and lavender sky, calm and cozy.

Wednesday

A Little Lamp for My Feet

Psalm 119

Today's idea The scriptures are like a little light that shows us where to walk.

Have you ever walked down a hallway when the lights were off? You go very slowly, with your hands out, because you cannot see where your feet are going.

Now imagine somebody hands you a little lamp. All at once you can see the next step. And then the next one. You do not have to see the whole hallway — just enough to keep going.

A long time ago, someone wrote this: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The scriptures are that little lamp.

The same writer said Heavenly Father’s words tasted sweeter than honey. Isn’t that a lovely way to say it? Good words really can taste sweet in your heart.

He also said he kept those words tucked away inside his heart, so they were always with him — even when the book was closed.

When your family reads the scriptures together, the Holy Ghost can give you a warm, quiet feeling inside. That is your little lamp, lighting up the very next step.

A warm family scene in modest ancient-Israel robes gathered around a low wooden table sharing bread and fruit inside a cozy stone house, small leafy olive plants in pots around the room, soft candlelight, close and happy.

Thursday

The House Heavenly Father Helps Build

Psalms 127–128

Today's idea Families are one of Heavenly Father’s very best gifts, and He helps build them strong.

Have you ever built a tower out of blocks? If the bottom blocks are wobbly, the whole tower tips right over. But if you build it carefully, it stands up tall.

There is a song in the scriptures that says this: unless the Lord helps build the house, the builders are working all by themselves.

It is not really talking about wood and nails. It is talking about a family. When we let Heavenly Father help — with kindness, with patience, with love — our family grows strong and steady.

The same song says that children are a gift from Heavenly Father. A gift! That means you. You were given to your family on purpose.

It even paints a picture of a family sitting around the table together, like little green plants growing up all around — happy, and close, and right where they belong.

Families are one of Heavenly Father’s very best ideas.

A young child in modest ancient-Israel robes tucked under a cozy blanket with a pillow on a soft grassy hillside, smiling up at a calm night sky with big soft stars and a crescent moon, a small lantern glowing warmly beside them, safe and peaceful.

Friday

He Knows Me

Psalm 139

Today's idea Heavenly Father knows you and made you, and He is with you everywhere you go.

Some people know a little bit about you. But there is Someone who knows all of you — Heavenly Father.

A song in the scriptures says He knows when you sit down and when you stand up. He even knows the words you are going to say before you say them.

And no matter where you go, He is right there. If you flew as fast as the morning light, all the way out to the far side of the sea, His hand would still be holding onto you.

Even in the dark! The song says that to Heavenly Father, nighttime shines just as bright as daytime. So a dark room is never dark to Him — He can see you, right there, the whole time.

The song says something wonderful about you, too. It says you are wonderfully made. That means Heavenly Father made you with great care, on purpose, exactly you.

You are a child of God. He knows your name, and He is glad you are His.

A young child in modest ancient-Israel robes and a smiling older neighbor sharing a round loaf of bread between them at a sunny stone archway, a basket of figs in her hand, olive trees and flowers around, a small friendly dog looking up, warm golden light.

Saturday

Helping Hands

Psalm 146

Today's idea Heavenly Father helps people who need help — and we can be His helping hands.

Have you ever helped somebody? Maybe you carried something heavy, or found a lost toy for a friend.

A song in the scriptures makes a whole list of the ways Heavenly Father helps. He gives food to people who are hungry. He helps people who cannot see. He lifts up people who are feeling low. He stays close beside people who feel all alone.

That is a long list of helping! And Heavenly Father never gets tired of it. His helping goes on and on and on.

Here is the happy part: He lets us help too. When you share your snack, or hold open a door, or go sit by somebody who is sitting by themselves — those are His helping hands, and they are attached to your arms.

Jesus did that everywhere He went. He noticed people that others walked right past, and He stopped.

You have two hands. Heavenly Father can use them today.

A joyful group of children in modest ancient-Israel robes making music together outdoors — one with a small hand drum, one with a simple harp, one clapping, one dancing — colorful flowers and birds around them, bright warm sunlight, festive and happy.

Sunday

Let Everything That Breathes Sing

Psalm 150

Today's idea Everything that breathes can praise Heavenly Father — and that includes you.

Take a big breath in. Now let it out. Did you feel that? That breath is a little gift, and you get a brand-new one every few seconds, all day long.

The very last song in the book of Psalms is short, and loud, and happy. It says: “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.”

Everything! That means the birds and the puppies and the wind in the trees — and you.

The song lists all the ways to do it. Blow a trumpet! Strum a harp! Shake a tambourine! Bang two cymbals together! Dance around the room!

So it turns out that praising Heavenly Father is not a quiet, sit-still sort of job. It can be joyful and noisy and full of music.

When you sing at church, or hum a song in the car, or clap along with the music — that counts. Heavenly Father loves to hear it, especially from you.