Object: A photograph of a cat nestled in a pile of laundry.

Lesson: Courage; self-reliance; Mother's Day

Text: "Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

"Is today a special day for someone in your family?" Heads nod eagerly; faces light up with knowing smiles. "What is today?" "It's Mother's Day!" comes the boisterous, unanimous response. "Yes, it's Mother's Day, a day to remember our mothers in special ways." I reach into my pocket for a picture I have brought to share and hand it to the nearest child. "The individual in this picture reminded me of my mother a few weeks ago. You all can pass it around so every one can see it while I tell you a story about him. He's not a person, is he?" "No!" say those who have seen…