Kojo was just 8 years old when life as he knew it fell apart. His father, the man he had always looked up to, packed his bags one evening and left without saying goodbye. The weight of that moment sat heavy in Kojo’s heart. His mother, though strong and hardworking was now juggling two jobs and barely had time to sit down at the dinner table with him and his younger sister, Chloe. Their small apartment became a quiet, lonely place. Kojo often felt invisible, like he was just drifting through the days without purpose or direction.

One day, his grandmother, Ruth, came to visit. She was the one constant in his life who brought warmth and love, even when everything else felt uncertain. As she sat with Kojo on the couch, she gently rubbed his back. “Kojo,” she said softly, “I know things have been hard lately. But there’s someone who will never leave you, no matter what happens.”

“Who?” Kojo asked, not lifting his eyes from the floor.

“God,” she replied with a warm smile. “He’s always with you and He has big plans for your life, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.”

Kojo shrugged. He wasn’t sure what to say. He had heard about God before, but in his young mind, God seemed distant like someone who lived far away and didn’t really care about what was happening in his small world.

That Sunday, grandma Ruth took Kojo to church. He didn’t want to go at first, but she promised they’d get ice cream afterward and that was enough to convince him. As they walked into the small church, Kojo felt nervous. The people were friendly, but everything felt so unfamiliar.

During Sunday school, the teacher, Miss Akosua shared the story of King Josiah. She opened her Bible to 2 Chronicles 34:1-2 and read aloud: “Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.”

Kojo’s ears perked up. Eight years old? That was his age! He leaned forward, curious to hear more.

Miss Akosua explained that Josiah became king after his father, Amon, had ruled poorly and led the people away from God. “But even though Josiah was young,” she said, “he chose to follow God with all his heart. He didn’t let his father’s mistakes define him. Instead, he trusted God and made big changes, showing the people how to worship the Lord again.”

Kojo couldn’t stop thinking about Josiah. If someone his age could do what was right and follow God, maybe he could too. As the lesson ended, Miss Akosua handed each child a small slip of paper with the verse on it. Kojo tucked it into his pocket, feeling like it was meant just for him.

That night, back in his room, Kojo pulled out the slip of paper and read it again. He thought about how lonely and small he had been feeling lately, but something about Josiah’s story gave him hope. He knelt beside his bed, clasped his hands together like he had seen people do in church, and whispered, “God, I don’t know what You want me to do, but I want to be like Josiah. Help me do what’s right.”

In the days and weeks that followed, Kojo began to notice small ways he could live out his prayer. At school, he saw a boy named Josh sitting by himself at lunch. Normally, Kojo would’ve ignored him, but he remembered Josiah’s courage and decided to sit with Josh. “Hey, want to trade snacks?” Kojo asked with a smile. Josh’s face lit up, and from that day on, they became friends.

At home, Kojo started helping his mom more. He didn’t wait for her to ask him to clean his room or take out the trash, he just did it. One evening, he even helped Chloe with her homework, even though it meant giving up time to play his favorite video game. His mom noticed the change and smiled at him with tears in her eyes. “Thank you, Kojo,” she whispered. “You’re growing into such an amazing young man.”

But the biggest change was in Kojo’s heart. He started reading his Bible with grandma Ruth every evening, learning more about God’s love and faithfulness. One day, as they read about Josiah tearing down idols and leading the people back to worship God, Kojo asked, “Do you think I could do something big like that one day?”

Grandma Ruth smiled and said, “You already are, Kojo. Every time you choose kindness, every time you help someone and every time you trust God, you’re making a difference. Just like Josiah, you’re showing others what it means to follow Him.”

Years later, Kojo would look back on that time in his life as a turning point. He didn’t grow up to be a king, but he did grow into a leader, a young man who inspired others to live with purpose and faith. He started a Bible study for boys at his school, volunteered at his church and mentored kids who were struggling, just like he had been.

Kojo learned that, just like Josiah, it wasn’t about how young or inexperienced he was. It was about having a heart fully committed to God. And through every challenge, he held onto the truth of 2 Chronicles 34:1-2, knowing that doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord would always lead him on the right path.

Heavenly Father, I pray for my reader who may feel unsure of their purpose or feel limited by their circumstances. Just as You called Josiah at a young age to do great things, remind them that You can use them right where they are. Give them courage to do what is right in Your eyes, even when it’s hard. Show them that their choices, no matter how small, can make a big difference in the lives of others. May they trust You with all their theart and walk faithfully in Your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.