Verses from Mama

Hearing God speak one Bible verse at a time.

Sacrificial Love – It’s Not So Easy

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Ephesians 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” 

Sacrificial Love

Dear Kids,

“It’s so easy to fall in love, it’s so easy to fall in love.”

Famous singer/songwriter, Buddy Holly, along with Norman Petty penned these catchy lyrics, and in 1958 the rock and roll band, The Crickets, recorded the single.

“Yeah, where you’re concerned,

My heart can learn,

Oh it’s so easy to fall in love,

It’s so easy to fall in love.”

Real Love is Not Always Easy

The sentiment of these lines is one to be appreciated. But while it may be easy initially to fall in love with the person of your dreams, walking in love on a long-term basis is a lot harder. This is because real love is not always easy. Most of the time it requires great sacrifice.

Anyone who has ever fallen in love experiences a great wash of emotion. This song talks about the initial hormonal rush that produces giddy feelings of pleasure. As time passes these hormones stabilize and real life sets in. Many of your significant other’s habits that were “cute” before can become annoying. This is where the real test of true love begins.

Real Love for Others is Sacrificial

The Apostle Paul calls God’s children to be imitators of God and to walk in love as Christ has loved us. This genuine love prompted Jesus to lay down His life for us even when we were not very loveable. So, too, our love for others should be one of self-sacrifice.

We are called to love not only those who generate pleasant feelings, but everyone around us – even those we would consider enemies. Selfish purposes need to be set aside, and we must think of others more highly than we do ourselves. This may mean sacrificing time, money, preferences, and even our right to “be right.” It means always being kind, continually offering forgiveness, and patiently bearing with one another even on bad days. None of this is very easy!!

Sacrificial Love Brings Joy

Buddy Holly and the Crickets’ lyrics speak of an all-consuming emotion experienced by star-crossed lovers all over the world. For them “it’s so easy to fall in love” because their hearts are light and the relationship is new. But when God’s children imitate Jesus by displaying sacrificial love even when it’s difficult, we bring joy to our heavenly Father. Our attitudes and actions make Him smile. And that alone is worth the sacrifice.

Love,

Mama

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True Love is Always About the Heart

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Mark 12:42-43 “A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury . . .”

Love is Always About the Heart

Dear Kids,

The weather turns colder, and the wind whips the trees mercilessly. It’s a good night to hunker down on the couch under a cozy blanket with family. What more perfect setting to watch a favorite movie? Most of my preferences involve the typical love triangle. Girl has rich inattentive boyfriend. She goes away and meets a fellow with average means who ends up falling in love and portraying it in romantic and very real ways. Of course, in the end the girl dumps the guy with the money for the man who truly loves her with everything he’s got. This is because love isn’t about money; true love is always about the heart!

What would you rather have: a very expensive gift from someone who doesn’t care about you, or a small thoughtful present from someone who adores you and would sacrifice everything for your benefit?

Jesus Recognized a Poor Widow Woman

Jesus recognized a poor widow woman who did just that. She only had two small coins to give, but He pointed her out to His disciples as someone to be emulated. He was nearing the end of His earthly ministry and had met many different people. The religious leaders should have understood who He was and reverenced Him, but instead they despised Him. Yet they continued to go through the rituals of honoring God with great piety although they only cared about gaining personal recognition and admiration.

One day Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and began observing the contributors. There were many rich people putting in large sums. I am sure they made a great display of their fine offerings, so others would see how generous and spiritual they were.

But suddenly there appeared a poor widow woman. She approached the offering box and dropped in two copper coins. Those whose eyes were only on themselves hardly noticed the clink of this measly offering. But Jesus noticed and called His disciples to Him. “Look at her,” He said. “Her gift is worth more than all of the other contributors to the treasury. They put in out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty. She offered all she possessed and had to live on.” This unassuming, humble act came from a deep faith and a heart of love, and it caught Jesus’ attention.

Love is Always About the Heart

In just a few short days Jesus would be led away to the cross to play His part in the greatest love story ever. He gave up everything including His life for us, so shouldn’t we, like the poor widow, sacrifice all for Him?

The wind continues to howl outside the living room window, but our hearts are warmed as the girl falls in love with the underdog in yet another chick flick. It’s because most of us value the real deal over the self-centered love interest. We know that in all love stories it’s never about the money; it’s always about the heart.

Love,

Mama

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The Wedding Dress and the Power of Inspiration

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Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

Dear Kids,

There are some people who just seem to inspire others. Their presence stimulates the desire in those around them to be like them or do what they do. They may possess a special talent that pushes another to work hard to attain success in the same endeavor. Or they may just have a kind and loving personality that awakens an aspiration for the same kind of compassion. These people hold a special type of power. They have the ability to mold those around them and change the world for better or for worse.

Wedding Inspiration

This past week our family has been coming down off the high of a huge celebration. Last Saturday Nathan and Dalia got married. So naturally this week the participants have spent time rehearsing the fun and beauty of the special day. The ceremony, the decorations, the food . . . all of it has been mulled over and talked about with fondness. But there was one thing in particular that was an inspiration to two-year old Ruby.

Four days after the wedding, Luke and Brianna celebrated their third anniversary, so Nana and Pops had the privilege of watching the girls. When they arrived Ruby pranced into the house wearing a floor length dress with blue flowers that she had picked out herself. When I asked her why she wanted to wear this dress, her answer made me smile. With her limited vocabulary she responded, “Nathan, Dalia, dress!”

A Precious Role Model

Apparently, Dalia’s beautiful white wedding dress captivated this little girl and she wanted to be like her new aunt. So she chose the closest matching outfit she could find and insisted on wearing it, twirling in it, and enjoying the attention she received because of it. Dalia’s beauty, enhanced by her lovely personality, inspired Ruby to be just like her. What a precious role model!

We all have a similar opportunity to inspire others. In fact, Hebrews tells us we should make it a priority to live in a way that spurs others on to love and good works. Life was not easy for the recipients of this Bible letter. These Jewish Christians were undergoing significant persecution and many were tempted to turn away from Christ and back to the customs of their past. The author knew they needed to stick together and help each other to mature in their faith through mutual love and encouragement. This is how they would remain firm through difficult days ahead.

A Good Example Inspires Others to Faith and Spiritual Maturity

Our world today also presents many obstacles to faith and spiritual maturity. Right and left, many are falling away from the truth. We must consider how to inspire each other to persevere and withstand temptation. A helping hand, a well-timed prayer, and a kind word of encouragement may be all it takes to inspire a brother or sister to keep on. And our brightly shining light and good works may be just the thing to draw others we meet to the Lord.

This week Ruby has coined a new phrase: “Nathan, Dalia, Dress.” She says it over and over as she remembers and seeks to emulate a beautiful bride. May those around us find encouragement in our attitudes and actions. May these powerful character qualities foster a deep desire for God. And may they be the inspiration that someone near us needs to press on in faith, love, and good deeds.

Love,

Mama

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Love – The Oil That Decreases All Types of Conflict

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1 Corinthians 13:8a “Love never fails!” 

Dear Kids:

Love is the way to deal with conflict.If there is one thing that should characterize the Christian’s life, it is love! God is love and we, His children, should represent Him well through our love of others. Love covers a multitude of sins. It is how to deal with conflict . . . or you could say love is the oil that decreases all types of friction.

Last week Dad and I had the opportunity to visit the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, with Luke. The base was hosting a family tour day. So Luke, along with other employees, escorted us through various buildings explaining the daily happenings of this large military installation. While most of what was being described was completely over my head, I still got a simple understanding of the processes that keep our Air Force running smoothly.

One of the departments that captured my attention focused solely on engine oil. I had no idea that oil could be so diverse and so important. But a group of men and women spend every day testing and retesting the various types of oil in order to find the perfect formulas for each airplane engine.

These engineers explained how oil keeps the engine running smoothly and lubricates all the moving parts to reduce friction. The oil also helps to reduce heat so the parts don’t become too hot and burn up. Not only this, but the oil protects the various parts from corrosion that might cause the engine to fail. With the lives of many pilots and passengers at risk, the production of superior oil is crucial! Listening to the engineers describe its critical importance, I could see why they spend so much time perfecting it. The airplanes we rely on would be unsafe and useless without it.

This particular discussion caused me to think about another type of oil . . . one that keeps human relationships running smoothly. Every day we face the potential for conflict among individuals – even those we care deeply about. No one is perfect and things happen, but the oil of love keeps things in working order. When friction occurs love is patient and kind. It is not jealous, arrogant, or self-centered, but instead seeks the other person’s best interests. Love does not act unbecomingly and is not provoked. When tension starts to build and there is a potential for a hurtful quarrel, the oil of love reduces the amount of heat by bearing and enduring all things.

God tells us to speak the truth to one another, but to do it lubricated with the love! He commands us when someone seeks our harm, to love our enemies and to pray for those who despitefully use us. We cannot eliminate all conflicts but the oil of love will keep our own hearts clean, and running at maximum efficiency. Kind words and gestures can reduce unnecessary damage and may possibly save a relationship from complete failure.

The next time you board an airplane give a “hats off” to the engineers  of Wright-Patt Air Force Base who have spent countless hours testing the jet engine’s oil. Maybe their hard work will inspire you to do some oil testing of your own. Try the oil of love in all your interactions with people. It should characterize your life as a Christian. It’s how to deal with conflict. It can decrease all types of friction. And God says, “It will never fail!”

Love,

Mama

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The June Bride – Keys to a Successful Relationship

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Jeremiah 2:2 & 5b “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: “‘I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved Me and followed Me through the desert, through a land not sown.’” “ . . . They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.”

Dear Kids:

“Oh, they say when you marry in June you’re a bride all your life, and the bridegroom who married in June gets a sweetheart for a wife.”

June Brides - The Keys to Successful RelationshipsThese lyrics from the popular 1954 movie, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, play on an ancient tradition. Most June brides of today are ignorant of the fact that this custom came from Roman times.

June Brides Derived From Roman Times

The month of June derived its named from the Roman goddess, Juno. Annually on June 1st worshipers celebrated this deity of marriage and childbirth, and it was believed that those who “tied the knot” during the month of June would experience prosperity and great happiness.

Likely, June brides of our day settle on the date based more on warm weather, flexible work schedules, and sunny vacation spots. But it would behoove every bride to consider what truly makes a healthy and prosperous marriage. All young couples enter life together dreaming of a happily ever after. I doubt there are any who suppose they will “fall out of love” when spring rolls into winter. Yet so often this is exactly what happens!

All Relationships Take Time and Effort

But marriage to an earthly partner is not the only union from which a strong and beautiful connection can fade away. Any relationship worth keeping takes time and effort. This is certainly true when it comes to our relationship with the Lord.

God, through the prophet Jeremiah, plays on the image of young love grown cold to describe His relationship with His people. The lessons learned here apply to our rapport with each other, whether in marriage or otherwise, as well as our rapport with the Lord.

During the honeymoon period the children of Israel had great devotion to the God of their fathers. They followed Him through the wilderness and experienced His great loving care, provision, and protection. But what happened?

Forgetfulness Damages Marriages

As with many marriages today things changed. The people forgot the miraculous escape from Egypt that God had orchestrated. They grew used to the fruitful Promised Land secured by their heavenly Bridegroom. They turned and walked away from all they once cherished to lust after unprofitable things. Even the leaders stopped seeking God and pursued foreign gods!

Jeremiah portrays the heartbreak felt by a jilted lover when the Lord pleads His case and questions the reasons for Judah’s unfaithfulness. These fickle people became dissatisfied and searched for someone and something else to fill their desires. Sadly the search was based on a lie. They forsook God, the fountain of living waters and were left with leaking cisterns.

“When you marry in June, you will be a bride all your life.” This is a worthy goal and hope that Juno, the fictional goddess of love and marriage, can’t produce. June brides are not always successful.

All flourishing marriages, including a vibrant relationship with the Lord, are sustained with attentiveness and by staying connected. So take a lesson from the people of Israel.

Keys to Successful Relationships:

Never forget your initial devotion.

Keep following despite difficulties.

Stay contented with the blessings you have.

Never forsake your first love.

If you do these things, no matter what month you start your relationship, you will have a much better shot at being a bride all your life!

Love,

Mama

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Every Day Love and the Dining Room Table

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John 15:12-13 “This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that one lay down his life for his friends.”

“Mother, don’t hate me! Love, NS.” 

This note greeted me at the kitchen door on Wednesday evening after work. “Hate you? Why would I ever hate my son?” I thought. 

I entered the kitchen and looked into the dining room. Suddenly, I understood the reason for his note.

For four months our house had been complete bedlam. Our unplanned kitchen remodel caused by a burst pipe overwhelmed the whole downstairs. Layers of dirt and dust coated the furniture for weeks and all the kitchen items had taken up residence in the living room, the downstairs bedroom, and on the dining room table. All winter our living space was sparse and we survived by clearing paths and creating a small eating space on the table.

Finally I Could Breathe Again!

But Memorial Day weekend proved to be the end of most things messy. I worked like crazy cleaning and finding homes for all my important kitchen items in the new cabinets. After discarding much unneeded stuff, things were finally in order. Finally I could breathe deeply again – until I got the note!

This is my expression of every day love! Love you, Nate!

This is my expression of every day love! Love you, Nate!

Monday night a tornado passed through our county. Our home survived the storm, but Nathan’s apartment sustained extensive damage. With very little notice he was forced to terminate his lease and move all his belongings out of the rental. He and his two roommates stayed up all night throwing possessions in boxes to empty the apartment as quickly as possible. Now the big things, like furniture, were tucked away in our barn, but everything else again littered the dining room table.

My mouth dropped and my eyes grew large as I surveyed the situation before me. “Not again!” I lamented. But then I thought of Nathan’s note. I certainly didn’t hate him. I loved him!

Jesus’ Command to Love Sacrificially

Jesus commanded his disciples in John 15 to love one another sacrificially. Maybe this was a small example of laying down one’s life for a friend. It isn’t often that one physically dies for another, but every day we encounter opportunities to give up the things we think we need to live – comfort, finances, rest, strength, belongings, and maybe even the dining room table.

Suddenly, a thought came to me. I grabbed my camera, took a picture of the clutter, and sent it to our family group message stating, “This is real love! Love you, Nate!”

I do love my son and I’m so glad he wasn’t hurt in the tornado! If need be I would give my life for him. But today I lay down my comfort and my organized home. Today, I give him the dining room table!!!

Love you, Nate!!

Love,

Mama

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Powerful Prescriptions from a Heavenly Physician

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Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Dear Kids:

Flu and cold season is upon us! It is not only the weak, but even the most hearty that can be forced to bed with coughing, sniffling, aches, and fever. This undesirable glitch in our plans is such an inconvenience for busy people like us! Thankfully there are excellent doctors and numerous modern medicines to ease the discomforts of our maladies and promote healing. This was not always the case.

Remedies from an old time drug store

Looking back in time often stimulates thankfulness. Recently we had an auction that featured relics from an old drugstore. As is my usual practice before an auction, I meandered through the Event Center to peruse the tables of neatly presented items. I imagined the sick from a time gone by seeking relief and healing from potions and syrups mixed in mortars and poured into beautifully colored bottles that lined the shelves of an old time pharmacy. These mysterious concoctions likely provided some relief, yet there was so much more they could not do.

Through the ages people have suffered in numerous ways. Our bodies are weak and over time we will each succumb to some sort of disease or malfunction. But even those who are healthy in body have other types of ailments. These are not ailments that old or new tonics can cure. They are of much greater concern because they can damage our minds and affect our thinking and our outlook on life. These emotional and psychological wounds shape how we look at God, others, and ourselves. Broken hearts of this type often lead to confused thinking, and there is no beautiful glass bottle filled with old time or modern medicine that can heal these.

Remedies for broken hearts

But there is a prescription that will do just the trick. The Greatest Physician ever known prescribes it. He, the Lord our God, understands the workings of every heart and the devastations that sin can cause. He provides the power to be healed if we are willing to let Him transform and renew our minds.

Are you dealing with a heart of pride? Take a dose of Humility. Are you down with a heart of jealousy? Slather it with a heavy coating of Love. Burdened with a heart of lies? Try two tablespoons of Truth. Are you aching with a heart of disbelief? Try a healthy cup of Faith. A heart of mourning? Spread the Oil of Gladness on it. And do you struggle with a heart of fainting? God prescribes a regular diet of Praise!

If you are sick with the common cold or the flu, then a trip to the doctor and a modern remedy will likely do the trick. But if you are dealing with a broken heart that has infected your mind, then the Great Physician is the One to prescribe the medication you need. It’s not a sweet syrup found in a beautiful glass bottle or capsules filled with curative powder. It is an old-fashioned health-giving balm activated by a transformed mind. Try God’s healing prescription today! It can make all the difference in the world.

Love,

Mama

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The Catastrophe of a Religious Masquerade

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Zechariah 7:9-10 “ Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’”

Dear Kids:

The Catastrophe of A Religious MasqueradeHalloween is just around the corner. This is the time of year when many dress up in costumes. Recently, Luke and Brianna hosted an autumn dress up party. Their little family masqueraded as the cutest beekeeper, flower, and honeybee I’ve ever seen. After the party they took the costumes off and returned to their normal selves. But sadly there are many people who spend their whole lives pretending to be something they are really not.

The prophet, Zechariah, confronted the Judean people about their religious practices. During the seventy years they had spent in captivity they had kept up a regular custom of fasting and mourning.  Their actions looked very spiritual and pious, but God saw beyond the outward appearances. Through the prophet He questioned their integrity saying, “When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years was it actually for Me that you fasted?

The Lord then spelled out His version of true and genuine religiosity. It included dispensing justice and practicing kindness and compassion to all people, as well as refraining from oppressing widows, orphans, strangers or the poor. Those who are the “real thing” will not devise evil in their hearts against one another. They will always speak the truth and judge with accuracy and peace.

Sadly, in the past, God’s people had refused to listen to the former prophets’ words. They closed their ears from listening and continued on in their foolish religious masquerade bringing a great catastrophe upon themselves.

Today, there are still many who portray themselves to be something they are really not. Going to church every week, dropping money in the offering plate, and using religious words and phrases are not the measurement of a genuine Christian. Those who have received God’s Spirit within them will show by their actions that they are the “real thing.” They will have a sincere love for those around them that will be demonstrated by their desire for justice and truth. They will reach out to aid those who are struggling and offer material and emotional help for their times of great need. They will pray for their enemies and seek to do them good instead of evil.

Choosing to dress up in a Halloween costume may or may not be your fancy. But make sure that who you are every day is not a religious masquerade. Do your actions demonstrate your real heart attitudes? Your facade may trick others, but God knows the truth.

Love,

Mama

A Better Way to Deal with Volatile Emotions

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Psalm 143:2 “And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no man living is righteous.”

Dear Kids:

“I can’t stand her! She treated me wrongly and I am done!”

Man Expressing Strong EmotionsHave any of you ever said or thought these words? If you are honest I am sure that you, like me, have expressed these feelings at one time or another. Maybe a friend betrayed your trust . . . or a client did you wrong . . . or a family member pushed the wrong button one too many times. People are imperfect and regular contact affords plenty of opportunity for rubbing one another the wrong way. Hurt feelings and raw emotions sometimes get the better of us. But what if there were a different way of handling the situation?

Psalms: A Wonderful Bible Book

Psalms is a wonderful book. Located near the middle of the Bible; its pages are filled with hymns and prayers from a number of different writers. For centuries many have found great comfort by peeking into the thoughts and emotions of those long gone. God, in His wisdom, chose to share with us the deepest feelings of some of His children in order to help us process our own struggles correctly and find comfort in time of need.

Recently, while reading Psalm 143, I was struck by the passion with which David cried out to God for deliverance and guidance. An enemy was persecuting his soul and the descriptive words seem to suggest that his circumstances may have brought on anxiety and depression. I can almost imagine this man at the end of his rope uttering, “I can’t stand this enemy! He is treating me wrongly and I am done!”

But even as David cried out to God for help he also prayed that God would not judge him for his own sins. He recognized that he was a sinner and needed God’s mercy and that no man is righteous in God’s sight. Later David expressed his trust and understanding of God’s lovingkindness, faithfulness, and righteousness. He belonged to the Lord, asked for deliverance, and found refuge in Him. He did not take matters into his own hands, but waited for the Lord to act.

Venting Emotions to God

When an irritating person – maybe even an enemy – has gone too far, we can go straight to the Lord with our complaints. Just as the Psalmist vented all his emotions, we too can call upon the Lord in our distress. But it is important to remember that no one is righteous in God’s sight apart from Jesus – not even you! Everyone needs forgiveness. Thankfully, God doesn’t remember us according to our sin, but according to His mercy.

Don’t take matters in your own hands. Ask the Lord to help you see things differently or to intervene when the situation warrants it. And maybe, instead of being done with the person, you will find you can forgive as the Lord has forgiven you.

Love,
Mama

When The High One Comes Down – A Kindergarten Memory

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Isaiah 57:15 “For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, ‘I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite.’”

There is nothing worse than being ignored. And there is nothing better than being acknowledged . . . except for being acknowledged by someone with a much higher standing than you have.

One very clear childhood memory occurred when I was five years old. I had just entered Kindergarten at Roosevelt School in Kearny, NJ. This brick city school had three stories accessible by a huge main staircase that spiraled around the center of the building. The kindergarteners were housed on the first floor near the principal’s office, and the older children progressed up the levels to the top floor.

I was a shy little girl and felt very small in what seemed like a very imposing building. The other older, taller, and smarter kids ruled and I was the lowly minion. But one day there was a knock on our classroom door. One of the “elite” sixth graders had come down from the third floor to bring our teacher a message. As he entered the room my heart nearly stopped. I knew him – he was my second cousin, David Russell.

I sat motionless in the back of the room, my gaze following his every move. And then he looked up. His eyes caught mine and he smiled and waved. I shyly smiled back and raised my hand in acknowledgment before he turned and left the room. Such a small encounter, but my heart and my confidence grew three sizes that day. Someone from upstairs had acknowledged me!

There are many on this earth who will never know your name. There are others who will completely ignore your existence and look the other way when you walk by. But do not be saddened. The One Who lives in the highest place of all knows you and loves you. He is the exalted One Who lives forever. His name is Holy!

Though this One lives in a high and holy place He has chosen to come and dwell with us. His presence lifts the heads and hearts of those who seek Him. He forgives our sins and revives our spirits. He brings peace to those who are far and those who are near. The comfort of His smile brings great joy. How amazing is that?

So don’t be sad if you feel rejected by some in this world. Open your eyes and look. The exalted One Who lives above has come down from His high and holy place to find you. And His presence will fill your heart with even more joy than the smile and wave of a sixth grader to a tiny kindergartener.

Love,

Mama