The First Sleepover

God loves a cheerful giver.

“Um, Lizzie, I overheard our moms talking, and it sounds like my little sister is coming to our sleepover tonight.” Jasmine swung her backpack off her shoulder and sat on the bus seat just behind Lizzie’s.

“But we were planning to ride our bikes over to Sara’s! That won’t work if Elle is along,” Lizzie said, turning back to look at Jasmine.

“I know.” Jasmine frowned. “My mom has to go visit Great-Grandma in the hospital, and your mom offered to take Elle so she doesn’t have to worry about a babysitter.”

Lizzie frowned too. She’d been looking forward to hanging out with Sara. But then she remembered the first time she’d been to a sleepover. “Has Elle ever been on a sleepover before?”

“Not other than with her cousins,” Jasmine replied.

“Well, let’s make a list of fun things to do with Elle tonight, and we’ll switch our plans with Sara to next Friday.” Lizzie started digging for a pencil and paper excitedly. “Do you think she would like to build a blanket fort in the dining room?”

“Oh, yes! I loved blanket forts at her age. Do you still have a few dolls? She loves Polly Pockets.”

Jasmine and Lizzie’s plans worked. Elle had a wonderful first sleepover, and Lizzie’s mom quietly pulled the girls aside the next morning to thank them for being so kind to Elle and making her first sleepover so special.

Younger siblings, cousins, neighbors, and kids at school love when older girls pay attention to them, listen to what they have to say, and include them in activities. They see you as the cool older girl (even if you don’t think you are cool), and they will feel extra special when they get to be a part of whatever fun you’re having. God asks us to be cheerful givers, girls who are generous toward others rather than secretly resentful and grumbling. This applies to your whole life and to everything you have and are—whether it’s your time, your money, your talents, or your attention.

Things to Think About

• Think of a time an older girl made it obvious she was reluctantly allowing you to tag along in what she was doing. How did that experience feel?
• When did an older girl act generously toward you with her time and attention? How did her generosity make you feel?

DAILY ACT OF FRIENDSHIP

Practice showing kindness toward someone younger than you: a sibling or cousin, a kid on the bus, or a kid in your neighborhood.