Hey, Carpool Crew. Happy Monday. I'm Pastor Justin. Now, let me ask, have you ever been lying out in the backyard, and it's the very end of summer, you're looking up at the sky, and you start thinking about the new year that's coming? And you start wondering, what's it gonna be like this year? And who are you gonna be in it this year? See, summer's almost done, and a new year is right around the corner. And here's something most kids never realize. You actually get a say in what kind of friend you're gonna be this year. It's not just something that happens to you, it's something you can decide. So today, let's talk about it. I wanna jump in with a big thing I want you to remember for the ride. You get to choose what kind of friend you'll be this school year. Hear this from Proverbs chapter twenty-seven, verse seventeen. It says, "Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another." Picture two metal blades rubbing together and each one making the other sharper and stronger. That's what good friends do. The right kind of friend doesn't just hang around you. They make you better, and you make them better too. Think about that. You're not just looking for good friends this year, you get to be one. You can be the kind of kid who makes other kids braver, kinder, and stronger just by how you treat them. You know, here's the part really worth deciding right now, before the year even starts. There's always a kid who gets left out. This year, you could be the one who walks over and says, "Hey, come sit with us." You could be that friend on purpose. You know, if Jesus were laying there in the grass just hanging out with you, I think he'd say, "You don't have to wait to see what kind of friend you'll be. You get to choose. Be the one who pulls people in. Be the kid who makes others stronger, and I'll help you do it." You see, it's the last stretch of summer, and you're lying in the backyard thinking about the year ahead. Part of you is nervous about who you'll sit with and who you'll be around. But then you decide something. Instead of just hoping for good friends, you're going to be a good friend. You picture the kid who always gets left out. You decide right now, this year, you're going to be the one who includes them. That one decision, the one you made in the grass at the end of summer, can change your whole school year and other people's school year too. So as you're getting ready for a whole new school year, I want you to think about this. First, decide right now the kind of friend you want to be this year, and say it out loud. And even go find a parent and tell them the kind of friend you want to be. And second, when the school year starts, remind yourself, "Hey, God, show me who needs a friend today," and go out and be a great friend. Let's go back to the one thing I wanted you to remember for the ride. You get to choose what kind of friend you'll be this school year. Remember, Carpool Crew, no matter where you are or how you're listening, say it with me, God loves you. And hey, Carpool Crew, this one's for you. Have you ever had a question about God or the Bible and you really wanted an answer? Did you know that we do a show called Questions from the Backseat? You can actually go to carpoolingwithjesus.com/ask and record a question, and we'll answer it on a future episode. I hope you get with a parent and give it a try because I'd love to answer your question. Oh, and one more thing. The brand-new series on Carpooling with Heroes of the Bible on Daniel is out today. All five episodes ready to go. The first one everybody gets. If you want all five on Daniel, you just have to subscribe. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And hey, before you go, let's answer this question together. What's one kind of friend you wanna be this year, and who's somebody you could include? I'll see you later, Carpool Crew. Have a good one.
