I want to thank you for your comments and letters.  These are important times of our lives that we share.  Many things it our life that affect us the most are not intentional.  We don’t plan to be poor or upset or afraid.  And yet….

• • Have you ever noticed that your grandparents who were children in the Great Depression always insisted that you clean up your dinner plate because you may not know when you will eat again?
  • Have you ever wondered why your uncle, the Vietnam vet, won’t go to July 4^th fireworks displays?
  • Have you ever thought about the people from whom you shy away in strange settings?

The circumstances of life have taught us to fear repeating things we experienced as a child. It is not intentional, usually.  Few of us would admit that we fear fireworks.  It just happens. It is embarrassing.  Often we have caught fears or hatreds from our parents, neighbors, or even friends.   I wonder….

• • How many of our children will be afraid to go to school for fear of a disease?
  • How many will never want to go shopping downtown for fear of being harmed?
  • How many will panic every time they smell smoke?
  • How many will not allow a person to hug them for fear of infection or worse?

Children come by these things honestly.  Adults in life seem to magnify trouble, fear, doubts, and anger.  My mother used to say, “The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Paul wrote,”  But we request of you, brethren, that you ^[appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, ¹³ and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. ¹⁴ We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. ¹⁶ Rejoice always; ¹⁷ pray without ceasing; ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. “

This too, is training for  GREAT future!

It has been many years, decades even, since women, young adults, and even men, celebrated universally Father’s Day as a day of thankfulness.  I have heard comments such as, “If God is like a father I want nothing to do with Him,” or “It just hurts me too much to go to church on Father’s Day and hear all the stories about wonderful fathers.  I never had one.” Fatherlessness has been an epidemic in America for a long while. 

• God wants to be YOUR Father.  
• His grace and forgiveness abounds for YOU.  
• He does not take into account a wrong you have seen or in which you have participated. 
• He is grateful when you come to Him for wisdom and understanding.  
• He will not disrespect you.  He made you.  
• God is flexible with His children; He made us each one unique.  Unlike some religions, He doesn’t expect you to be like everyone else.  
• He has a plan, should you choose to accept it, to show His goodness through your life.
• Whoever comes to Him in truth, He Will Not turn away. 

Today would be a good day to take a look at a Father you could love.  He loves you.

Check out the message on Youtube from June 21, 2020.