Pause for a moment and reflect on what God has done for you, what undeserved gifts you have received. We are all recipients of blessings from God. Thanking God for our blessings and learning to be satisfied is an attitude that is extremely precious and one for which we all should strive.

Jesus knew the importance of children. They have so much to teach us. That is why in all three synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus blesses little children. He really wants to be around them. To those who thought Jesus was wasting his time with the children, Jesus said, “Let the Little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” I give thanks for Barb who visited our little girl and shared the beads she had with her. I give thanks that Julie was able to “pass it on” to bring love to a little boy she met in a hospital. May we all learn from these two special people the value of reaching out to others, sharing, and passing love around.

As Christians, we are not to sit around and mope, or follow those who chase after selfish satisfactions or speak false doctrines. Instead, we are to stand up for the truth of what God would have us do and be, be knowledgeable about the faith instilled in us through the Scriptures, and practice self-control, godliness, and mutual love of others. If we center ourselves on those things daily, regularly, we will be practicing what it means to be a true follower of Jesus. We will be effective witnesses of God. Amen! May it be so!

We stopped at a favorite park along the coast and looked out at the roaring ocean fueled with the fury of the high winds. In front of us was this tree—solid, worn, and beautiful. It has withstood the intense winds, the pounding surfs, and human efforts to mar its trunk.

The stone was rolled away! Jesus did not stay in the tomb but arose on Easter so that we might have life and hope and joy. Celebrate this event! God offers each of us new life in the risen Jesus we call the Christ. Even the stone shouts out with promise and Good News! May you experience Easter joy and hope in your life today and in the days and months ahead.

From the cross, Jesus cries, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Sometimes, we forgive because God asks us to. There is no need to reason why the other does what he/she does. Jesus taught his disciples to pray “And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us” (Luke 11:4). Forgive, forgive, forgive is what Jesus says.

It makes a difference who you follow and why. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” If we follow Jesus, we are sure to be on the right track. Jesus said, “Follow me.”

Building our lives on the Word of God, like a house built on rock, may take much effort and will at times be difficult. But when the storms of life come, and many will, we will be able to stand firm; for God, our rock and our salvation, is with us!

In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul says we have been appointed by God to be God’s ambassadors: to bring the message that God has done in Christ Jesus all that needs to be done for a full reconciliation to take place between God and the people of God’s world-like us!

In your times of deep trouble, listen to the cries of the psalmist, hear God’s Love in their words of promise and hope. You are not alone.

PRAYER: Today, I pray with the psalmist, “Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.” Amen