Max loved Sunday School. He loved the Bible stories, the songs, and especially when Ms. Carol would bring out the colorful paper and markers for craft time.

Every Sunday morning, Max and his mom would get ready together. Max’s mom worked very hard during the week, sometimes even on Saturdays. It was just the two of them at home, but Max’s mom always made sure they were on time for church.

“Sunday is our special day together with God,” she would say as she helped Max tie his shoes.

One Sunday, something new and exciting happened. Tyler, a boy in Max’s class, brought in his brand-new Action Hero toy. It was shiny and could light up and make cool sounds when you pressed a button.

“Wow!” Max whispered, his eyes wide as Tyler showed everyone during sharing time. “That’s the coolest toy ever!”

“My dad got it for me,” Tyler announced proudly. “He takes me to the toy store every weekend when I visit him.”

All the kids gathered around Tyler, oohing and aahing over the special toy. Max stood back, a strange feeling growing inside his heart. It wasn’t just that he wanted the toy—though he definitely did. It was something about the way Tyler said “my dad.”

On the drive home, Max was quieter than usual.

“Did you have fun today?” his mom asked, glancing at him in the rearview mirror.

“Yeah,” Max mumbled, looking out the window. Then after a pause, he asked, “Mom, why don’t I have a dad who takes me to the toy store?”

His mom’s hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel. “Well, sweetie, families come in all different shapes and sizes. Some kids have a mom and dad who live together, some have two moms or two dads, and some, like you, have one parent. But no matter what, you are loved very, very much.”

Max nodded, but the heavy feeling in his chest didn’t go away.

That night, as Max’s mom tucked him into bed, she noticed he still seemed sad.

“What’s on your mind, buddy?” she asked, sitting on the edge of his bed.

“Tyler brought the coolest Action Hero toy to Sunday School,” Max said. “And his dad bought it for him. And then I started feeling…” Max struggled to find the right word.

“Jealous?” his mom suggested gently.

“Yeah,” Max nodded. “Jealous. And then I felt bad for feeling jealous. Is that a sin, Mom?”

Max’s mom took his small hand in hers. “Feeling jealous is something that happens to everyone sometimes,” she explained. “It’s what we do with those feelings that matters. When we let jealousy stay in our hearts, it can grow and make us unhappy and unkind. But when we talk to God about our feelings, He can help us think different thoughts instead.”

“Like what kind of thoughts?” Max asked.

“Well, when you start feeling jealous about what someone else has, you can think about the special things God has given you. Or you can think happy thoughts for your friend instead of jealous ones.”

Max thought about this. “Can we pray about it?”

“Of course,” his mom smiled.

So together they prayed: “Dear God, sometimes Max feels jealous when he sees what other kids have. Please help him remember all the wonderful things You’ve given him, and help him to be happy for his friends too. Thank You for loving us just as we are. Amen.”

The next morning, Max helped his mom make pancakes for breakfast. As they flipped them together, laughing when one landed half off the spatula, Max felt warm and happy.

“Mom,” he said suddenly, “I think God just helped me think a different thought.”

“What thought is that?” she asked.

“I was thinking that even though I don’t have a dad who takes me to the toy store, I have a mom who makes pancakes with me. And that’s pretty special too.”

His mom’s eyes got a little shiny, and she gave him a big hug.

The following Sunday, Tyler brought his Action Hero toy again. The feeling of wanting it still bubbled up inside Max, but this time he remembered his prayer.

God, please help me think good thoughts instead of jealous ones, he prayed silently.

During craft time, Max noticed that Lily, a quiet girl who usually sat by herself, looked sad.

“What’s wrong?” Max asked, sitting next to her.

“I don’t know how to make my craft look right,” Lily whispered, pointing to her crumpled paper.

“I can help you,” Max offered. “My mom taught me a special way to fold paper.”

As Max showed Lily how to make her craft, he felt something warm grow inside him—a happy feeling that was much better than the jealous one.

Later, during snack time, Tyler came over with his Action Hero toy.

“Want to play with it?” Tyler asked, holding it out to Max.

Max’s eyes widened. “Really? You’d let me play with it?”

Tyler nodded. “Sure. Ms. Carol says sharing makes God happy.”

As Max carefully held the toy, pressing the button to make it light up, he realized something—playing with the toy was fun, but it didn’t feel as amazing as he’d imagined. And helping Lily with her craft had actually made him feel even better.

On the way home, Max’s mom asked, “How was Sunday School today?”

“Good!” Max said. “Tyler let me play with his Action Hero toy.”

“That was nice of him,” his mom replied.

“Yeah,” Max nodded. “But you know what? I had even more fun helping Lily with her craft.”

His mom smiled. “That sounds like God helped you think those different thoughts we prayed about.”

“I still feel jealous sometimes,” Max admitted. “Like when Tyler talks about going places with his dad. But then I remember all the special things we do together, like making pancakes and reading stories.”

That night, as Max said his prayers, he added something special.

“Thank You, God, for helping me with my jealous feelings. And thank You for my mom who loves me so much. Please keep helping me think good thoughts that make my heart happy.”

As he drifted off to sleep, Max realized something important. The jealous feelings hadn’t disappeared completely, but they didn’t make him feel as bad anymore. And somehow, discovering ways to make others happy felt even better than getting a new toy.

THE END