Hello, folks! Second day of Wintertide Tractations! Today's word is Shine!
Start.
As I still mull over the happenings of this past weekend (my family's trip to Arkansas), I got to meet one of my mother's friends for the first time. She, (whom I'll call Delia), and my Mother have not had contact in about 27 years. Although I had heard her name mentioned a few times, I didn't know much about her and wasn't expecting to see her at our friends' house and anniversary celebration. Wow, was I in for a bundle of blessings! Throughout our one-and-a-half days together, I found myself going back for more conversation with her time and again. This lady loves the Lord in such a deep way that I was prompted to consider my own relationship with Christ.
Delia shone with a glow that was deep and soaked-in. A gentleness and a beauty that could only come from time spent with the Lord day after day exuded from her. Small of stature and quiet of voice, Delia is attractive, but more than that, she beautiful in mannerisms and, most importantly, of heart. The beauty of Christ shone out of her and I found myself wanting that. Like a moth to a flame, or a thirsty horse to a stream of water, the work that Christ is doing in Delia drew me in as I long for an echo of His likeness in my own life. I want to be a truly godly woman, too.
The wisdom that she (either intentionally or unintentionally) shared encouraged and sharpened me as Proverbs says, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend" (27:17.) I realize that the virtue that she exuded has developed over years of quietly getting away to spend time with her Lord. Arriving at such a level myself will happen as the Lord molds and works on me and as I surrender myself to Him and spend time reading His Word and communicating with Him through prayer. I don't want to be resistant to His work within and through me.
By the grace of God, I have been forgiven for my sins and am journeying with Christ and becoming like Him, but I want so much more of Him. What a blessing that He puts people like my new-found sister in Christ, Delia, to encourage me into a closer relationship with Him!
Friday, December 2, 2016
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Wintertide Tractations: Collect
Hello, folks! I have discovered a new word: Tractate. If I understand correctly, it's a synonym for the word treatise or discussion and is currently out of use. But perhaps this blog will change that. *wink*
Since I missed getting to participate in the Write 31 month-long blogging party introduced to me by Kate Motaung, I determined that I would try my own version in December. However, before I came up with that idea, when I was still thinking I could do Write 31, I asked my in-house word-crafter, Kyrie, supply me with 31 words which I plan to draw out at random and write about. {And I have not fished through them to see what she came up with...} I don't know whether I'll stick to the five minute time limit as I thought I would; we'll just have to see.
Therefore without further ado, here is.... Collect!
Start.
When I look at the word Collect hand-written on a tiny sliver of paper in Kyrie's signature scrawl, I link it to the most recent occurrence in my life: our family's trip to Arkansas. Friends of ours extended the invitation to us to join with them as they celebrate twenty-five God-given years of married life.
I was delighted when my parents began making plans to attend. It had been about seven years since I had been in "my old stomping ground" in that lovely state, so, besides the privilege of seeing and rejoicing with the happy couple, I looked forward to the fun of traveling, seeing the countryside between my current and former residences, and getting to again be with many beloved friends who would attend the anniversary reception.
So how does this relate to the word Collect? Only this, that over the years, the Lord has richly blessed my life with precious friends whom I have collected, until my family not only includes those who share similar genes with me, but also "family members" who are connected to me through the Blood of Christ.
Perhaps it sounds strange to talk about blood. But Jesus Christ, God's Son, died for me and I cannot keep from telling about what His kindness did for me. He, although Righteous, bled and gave up His life, so that I, who was guilty, through believing in Him, could be made clean and pleasing before God.
As my mother and I read recently in our Bible reading together, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." (1 Peter 1:18-21.)
These whom I have been blessed to collect into my family are likewise ones who have put their faith in Christ's work on the cross and His raising Himself from the grave. These are dear people to me and having them "in my collection" has brought me riches beyond estimation.
Since I missed getting to participate in the Write 31 month-long blogging party introduced to me by Kate Motaung, I determined that I would try my own version in December. However, before I came up with that idea, when I was still thinking I could do Write 31, I asked my in-house word-crafter, Kyrie, supply me with 31 words which I plan to draw out at random and write about. {And I have not fished through them to see what she came up with...} I don't know whether I'll stick to the five minute time limit as I thought I would; we'll just have to see.
Therefore without further ado, here is.... Collect!
Start.
When I look at the word Collect hand-written on a tiny sliver of paper in Kyrie's signature scrawl, I link it to the most recent occurrence in my life: our family's trip to Arkansas. Friends of ours extended the invitation to us to join with them as they celebrate twenty-five God-given years of married life.
I was delighted when my parents began making plans to attend. It had been about seven years since I had been in "my old stomping ground" in that lovely state, so, besides the privilege of seeing and rejoicing with the happy couple, I looked forward to the fun of traveling, seeing the countryside between my current and former residences, and getting to again be with many beloved friends who would attend the anniversary reception.
So how does this relate to the word Collect? Only this, that over the years, the Lord has richly blessed my life with precious friends whom I have collected, until my family not only includes those who share similar genes with me, but also "family members" who are connected to me through the Blood of Christ.
Perhaps it sounds strange to talk about blood. But Jesus Christ, God's Son, died for me and I cannot keep from telling about what His kindness did for me. He, although Righteous, bled and gave up His life, so that I, who was guilty, through believing in Him, could be made clean and pleasing before God.
As my mother and I read recently in our Bible reading together, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." (1 Peter 1:18-21.)
These whom I have been blessed to collect into my family are likewise ones who have put their faith in Christ's work on the cross and His raising Himself from the grave. These are dear people to me and having them "in my collection" has brought me riches beyond estimation.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Ponderings on Momentary Life
My cousin's fish died yesterday.
A strange way to open a blog post. Such an insignificant part of life, but a part that affected me.
We have been fish-sitting for a few weeks while our cousin was away. He came to us in old-ish age and we worried over him and coaxed him to live and prayed that he would survive long enough to get him back to her.
We didn't know his name. (I think I knew at one point...was it Julio? I usually called him Buddy or Dude.)
Julio (if that was indeed this fish's name and not the name of one of his fellow-fishes belonging to said cousin) became part of our life for a few short days. He would hang motionless in the water & we'd talk to him or tap his bowl, willing him to swim, or wiggle his fins, or show some sign of life. Suddenly, he would whirl about as if waking from some daze. He'd do some speedy circles at the surface of the water and then pause, as if tired from the exertion to prove his alive-ness.
He was a people fish,...of sorts. He liked "being part" of our conversations when we had guests over. We found humor in his attentiveness when we watched the Olympics, especially swimming.
And then I came in from school and he was very still.
You may be laughing. What kind of kook gives a eulogy for a fish? But his death came at a pivotal point in my life. (It seems that most points in my life, when I look back on them, are, or have been, able to be described as "pivotal".)
I remarked to Kyrie as we sighed over him, "I'm so tired of death."
Our dear friend at church, a man with whom we had served, and taken a mission trip, and fellowshipped with, and called "uncle" from the start, passed away a few days ago after a brief battle with cancer.
His passing caused me to reflect on other losses, my grandmother's and grandfather's deaths two years ago and a year ago, respectively, and a dissolved friendship.
When loss happens, how do we respond?
For my "uncle" and my grandparents, I do not mourn as if I will never see them again. In Christ Jesus, I have an eager expectancy that one day we will be reunited. They trusted in Him and received His forgiveness and eternal life and I, who have done the same, expect to join them in my Lord's presence when I, too, pass from this life.
The friendship, while it has been painful to lose, has also been a case orchestrated by my merciful and all-wise Father.
And Julio, as small a bit of existence as he was, helped me to see the beauty of another day of struggling, fragile life and was another stepping stone in my journey with knowing my Savior Jesus better and resting in Him.
A strange way to open a blog post. Such an insignificant part of life, but a part that affected me.
We have been fish-sitting for a few weeks while our cousin was away. He came to us in old-ish age and we worried over him and coaxed him to live and prayed that he would survive long enough to get him back to her.
We didn't know his name. (I think I knew at one point...was it Julio? I usually called him Buddy or Dude.)
Julio (if that was indeed this fish's name and not the name of one of his fellow-fishes belonging to said cousin) became part of our life for a few short days. He would hang motionless in the water & we'd talk to him or tap his bowl, willing him to swim, or wiggle his fins, or show some sign of life. Suddenly, he would whirl about as if waking from some daze. He'd do some speedy circles at the surface of the water and then pause, as if tired from the exertion to prove his alive-ness.
He was a people fish,...of sorts. He liked "being part" of our conversations when we had guests over. We found humor in his attentiveness when we watched the Olympics, especially swimming.
And then I came in from school and he was very still.
You may be laughing. What kind of kook gives a eulogy for a fish? But his death came at a pivotal point in my life. (It seems that most points in my life, when I look back on them, are, or have been, able to be described as "pivotal".)
I remarked to Kyrie as we sighed over him, "I'm so tired of death."
Our dear friend at church, a man with whom we had served, and taken a mission trip, and fellowshipped with, and called "uncle" from the start, passed away a few days ago after a brief battle with cancer.
His passing caused me to reflect on other losses, my grandmother's and grandfather's deaths two years ago and a year ago, respectively, and a dissolved friendship.
When loss happens, how do we respond?
For my "uncle" and my grandparents, I do not mourn as if I will never see them again. In Christ Jesus, I have an eager expectancy that one day we will be reunited. They trusted in Him and received His forgiveness and eternal life and I, who have done the same, expect to join them in my Lord's presence when I, too, pass from this life.
The friendship, while it has been painful to lose, has also been a case orchestrated by my merciful and all-wise Father.
And Julio, as small a bit of existence as he was, helped me to see the beauty of another day of struggling, fragile life and was another stepping stone in my journey with knowing my Savior Jesus better and resting in Him.
Friday, July 1, 2016
Five Minute Friday: Protect
Joining the FMF group for a great word: protect.
Protect. The word inspires so much in me. Today especially as I reflect on my Grandmother's short life of 86 years. She went to be with her (and my) Savior, Jesus Christ two years ago today.
The Grandmother was a great example of protector. At 80, she faced bringing her husband, my grandfather, home from the hospital after he experienced a debilitating stroke. Hospital personnel said that she should put him in a veteran's home 60 miles away, but she was loyal to him and to the promise she had made to him 62 years earlier "til death do us part". It was certainly no easy task as she had the carpet changed out for a shorter shag (easier for pushing a wheelchair on), and rearranged the furniture in almost every room of the house in order to make it easier for caring for him and to fit in the new hospital bed and lift chair.
The Grandmother also was big about protecting family relationships. Even when things became strained between one member or another, the Grandmother believed in reconciliation, grace, and unconditional love.
The Grandmother is an inspiration to me as I look forward to participating at a Joni and Friends Family Retreat this coming week in AL. There I hope I can pass on the legacy of protecting as I will have the privilege to get to meet and interact with people with abilities different from my own, people who have been shunned, bullied, or misunderstood.
{Side note: Another person who fits into the "protection advocate" category is Joel Anderson, artist and animator. I was encouraged by Mr. Anderson yesterday as I watched a video that shares his passion for standing up for and protecting those who are bullied, who have special needs or abilities, and who need a friend.}
Protect. The word inspires so much in me. Today especially as I reflect on my Grandmother's short life of 86 years. She went to be with her (and my) Savior, Jesus Christ two years ago today.
The Grandmother was a great example of protector. At 80, she faced bringing her husband, my grandfather, home from the hospital after he experienced a debilitating stroke. Hospital personnel said that she should put him in a veteran's home 60 miles away, but she was loyal to him and to the promise she had made to him 62 years earlier "til death do us part". It was certainly no easy task as she had the carpet changed out for a shorter shag (easier for pushing a wheelchair on), and rearranged the furniture in almost every room of the house in order to make it easier for caring for him and to fit in the new hospital bed and lift chair.
The Grandmother also was big about protecting family relationships. Even when things became strained between one member or another, the Grandmother believed in reconciliation, grace, and unconditional love.
The Grandmother is an inspiration to me as I look forward to participating at a Joni and Friends Family Retreat this coming week in AL. There I hope I can pass on the legacy of protecting as I will have the privilege to get to meet and interact with people with abilities different from my own, people who have been shunned, bullied, or misunderstood.
{Side note: Another person who fits into the "protection advocate" category is Joel Anderson, artist and animator. I was encouraged by Mr. Anderson yesterday as I watched a video that shares his passion for standing up for and protecting those who are bullied, who have special needs or abilities, and who need a friend.}
Sunday, June 26, 2016
"It's Alright Now"
Recently Kyrie got some music that we used to listen to as a family when we were kids. The singers, Harvest, made up a contemporary Christian group from the late seventies to early nineties. It has been so wonderful to hear those dear songs again and, more importantly, to actually understand the words! Before, I listened to them as a kid and sang along with some of the words, but now they actually mean something to me in my relationship with Christ Jesus.
This morning as I was working alone in the kitchen Kyrie had put on the music and I was struck by the words to their song "It's Alright Now".
"I remember the times I felt Your hand upon me, Lord
I thought that I would never rise again
For Your Spirit had broken the pride in my heart
I knew that I needed to make a new start
I wanted to feel Your love and know You cared
So I fell upon my knees and prayed, "Forgive me, Lord.
For livin' my life without You everyday."
Then I felt like somethin' within me had died.
When I raised my head I saw a new light.
I heard what sounded like a voice from heaven say.
Chorus.
It's alright now. It's alright now.
There's nothin' to fear from Me, my friend.
I'm saying it's alright now."
There is more to the song, but hearing those words again, touched my heart and I started to cry. How tenderly the Lord has led me. No human relationship can compare to that between the Lord and His people.
Perhaps you are one who has felt you "needed to make a new start", too. Through Jesus Christ we can. It's not "turning over a new leaf" or trying to do better. It's realizing our helplessness and admitting to the Lord that, without Him, we are guilty and worthy of punishment. Jesus Christ, God's Perfect, Sinless Son, came to this earth and took the punishment for the sins of mankind. Although it seems hard to fathom that one would do this for us who are so undeserving, He did. He died on a horrible Roman cross, was forsaken by God, and felt His wrath, all because of love for us! The exciting news is that, unlike any other, He raised Himself back to life again! Then He went back to Heaven to His Father. And there He is now, alive and willing to forgive and receive anyone who will come to Him for forgiveness and adoption. When He forgives a person, He gives a radically new, wonderful hope unlike any other. Life may not be perfect following Him; in fact, it may be downright difficult, but knowing He is always near makes life worth living. And then, like the songwriters, you can say personally that in your heart you hear His voice saying to you, "It's alright now."
This morning as I was working alone in the kitchen Kyrie had put on the music and I was struck by the words to their song "It's Alright Now".
"I remember the times I felt Your hand upon me, Lord
I thought that I would never rise again
For Your Spirit had broken the pride in my heart
I knew that I needed to make a new start
I wanted to feel Your love and know You cared
So I fell upon my knees and prayed, "Forgive me, Lord.
For livin' my life without You everyday."
Then I felt like somethin' within me had died.
When I raised my head I saw a new light.
I heard what sounded like a voice from heaven say.
Chorus.
It's alright now. It's alright now.
There's nothin' to fear from Me, my friend.
I'm saying it's alright now."
There is more to the song, but hearing those words again, touched my heart and I started to cry. How tenderly the Lord has led me. No human relationship can compare to that between the Lord and His people.
Perhaps you are one who has felt you "needed to make a new start", too. Through Jesus Christ we can. It's not "turning over a new leaf" or trying to do better. It's realizing our helplessness and admitting to the Lord that, without Him, we are guilty and worthy of punishment. Jesus Christ, God's Perfect, Sinless Son, came to this earth and took the punishment for the sins of mankind. Although it seems hard to fathom that one would do this for us who are so undeserving, He did. He died on a horrible Roman cross, was forsaken by God, and felt His wrath, all because of love for us! The exciting news is that, unlike any other, He raised Himself back to life again! Then He went back to Heaven to His Father. And there He is now, alive and willing to forgive and receive anyone who will come to Him for forgiveness and adoption. When He forgives a person, He gives a radically new, wonderful hope unlike any other. Life may not be perfect following Him; in fact, it may be downright difficult, but knowing He is always near makes life worth living. And then, like the songwriters, you can say personally that in your heart you hear His voice saying to you, "It's alright now."
Friday, June 24, 2016
Five Minute Friday: Rest
After many weeks of inactivity, I rejoin my FMF fellow-writers for some words on Rest....
Start:
My body is weary, my eyes are heavy. I've gotten in bed too late two nights in a row and it's my own fault.
But I was just having too much fun with my dear friends and cousins during our back-to-back sleepover parties as we try to get in as much visiting as possible before they have to return to their home.
Yes, my physical self is weary and it makes my heart problems worse, too.
No, I don't have a medical condition you should be concerned about. I just have some of the woes and problems brought on from living in a sin-tainted world.
I'm weary with a nine-month long inner struggle over a particular matter, an emotional roller coaster that has had me laughing and crying repeatedly. I've been pained over it and blessed by it and have no idea what my part is to do with it now!
I keep turning to friends or family members talking about it, foolishly hoping that, by voicing my thoughts and frustrations, something will budge, click, pop into place! etc.
Ridiculousness!
All this time, maybe all my Heavenly Father has been trying to teach me is to rest in Him and wait patiently for Him to work something more amazing than I can imagine!
You see, I was reading in Isaiah the other day and it didn't dawn on me until today how that I have been exactly like the people who were given the message, but not listening to the words. It struck me: Have I been biting the hand that has been feeding me? or have I, as I ought, been kissing the hand that is beating me?
Friends, the Lord corrects and instructs in the best and most loving way.
It is not always fun. Sometimes it's painful; but, when He "spanks" His children, it is so we will turn to Him and love and trust Him more.
LORD, help me to learn more fully to rest in Thee about the matters my heart struggles over tonight.
End.
"For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts" (Isaiah 9.13).
Start:
My body is weary, my eyes are heavy. I've gotten in bed too late two nights in a row and it's my own fault.
But I was just having too much fun with my dear friends and cousins during our back-to-back sleepover parties as we try to get in as much visiting as possible before they have to return to their home.
Yes, my physical self is weary and it makes my heart problems worse, too.
No, I don't have a medical condition you should be concerned about. I just have some of the woes and problems brought on from living in a sin-tainted world.
I'm weary with a nine-month long inner struggle over a particular matter, an emotional roller coaster that has had me laughing and crying repeatedly. I've been pained over it and blessed by it and have no idea what my part is to do with it now!
I keep turning to friends or family members talking about it, foolishly hoping that, by voicing my thoughts and frustrations, something will budge, click, pop into place! etc.
Ridiculousness!
All this time, maybe all my Heavenly Father has been trying to teach me is to rest in Him and wait patiently for Him to work something more amazing than I can imagine!
You see, I was reading in Isaiah the other day and it didn't dawn on me until today how that I have been exactly like the people who were given the message, but not listening to the words. It struck me: Have I been biting the hand that has been feeding me? or have I, as I ought, been kissing the hand that is beating me?
Friends, the Lord corrects and instructs in the best and most loving way.
It is not always fun. Sometimes it's painful; but, when He "spanks" His children, it is so we will turn to Him and love and trust Him more.
LORD, help me to learn more fully to rest in Thee about the matters my heart struggles over tonight.
End.
"For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts" (Isaiah 9.13).
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Do You Want to be a Cat?
"Do you want to be a cat?"
"Do I want to be a cat?" I repeated, making sure I had heard correctly.
"Mmhmm." The seriousness in the olive green eyes of my five year old friend told me that I had. It wasn't the first time during babysitting that day that I had encountered the delightfulness of the child's "adult ideas"-free mind. At other points, I had just had to laugh, wishing I could be recording the words and thoughts to share with someone later, (how many times I wished Kyrie was there for me to share a look and a laugh with!) but this was different. Olive was serious and I needed to give this answer more than a chuckle.
"Well...." I thought for a moment. Olive's three year old sister now looked up from the coloring book she was working on. "No," I said slowly. "I don't think so. 'Cause if I was a cat, I would miss out on knowing alot of the wonderful people I know."
The answer was good enough for Perky who went back to coloring. Olive was fine with it, too, it seemed, for she continued candidly, "My brother says I act like a cat..." We talked for a few more minutes on that subject before moving on, but the idea got me to thinking.
I am so thankful that I am not a cat, that I am a human being, that I know that my Creator God planned for me to be a female person and nothing else. How many dear friends He has given me to enjoy! How many opportunities I have gotten to have because I can work, and think, and go, and interact! A cat, or any other animal, has a seriously limited life. They, of course, are made for man's enjoyment and benefit, but they don’t get to know some of the most enjoyable parts of my life. I appreciate the fact that our cats have (to some degree) been good at catching rodents. I enjoyed our dog that ran around, lay on the grass, barked at squirrels, or laughed his great, big, tongue-lolling grin at us. He didn't provide any huge contribution to our family, but he was fun to have around. I even liked our Beta fish which did nothing more than swim back and forth in their glass domains and eat and dazzle me with their gorgeous colors and designs. But to be a person—specifically a person who has purpose based on a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of the world!—is to know joy and peace, work and rest, pleasure and even the benefits of sorrow (since sorrow is to drive a person back to reliance on Christ). It is to have gain and loss, to meet strangers and become friends, to take advantage of family relationships in order to grow in love for each other despite quirks and personalities and talents. It is to know the highest privilege of the human life: peace with God through realizing one’s sinfulness and Christ’s righteousness, one’s right to punishment and God’s gift of forgiveness through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
Olive sparked more than she can imagine by her innocent, child-like question and I am grateful. To my Savior and Lord: I thank You for causing Olive to ask this. It is wonderful to know You, my Father! To all my friends and loved ones who mean so much to me because I am a feeling, thinking human, I have to say: I am so thankful for you--and I am so thankful that I am not a cat!
"Do I want to be a cat?" I repeated, making sure I had heard correctly.
"Mmhmm." The seriousness in the olive green eyes of my five year old friend told me that I had. It wasn't the first time during babysitting that day that I had encountered the delightfulness of the child's "adult ideas"-free mind. At other points, I had just had to laugh, wishing I could be recording the words and thoughts to share with someone later, (how many times I wished Kyrie was there for me to share a look and a laugh with!) but this was different. Olive was serious and I needed to give this answer more than a chuckle.
"Well...." I thought for a moment. Olive's three year old sister now looked up from the coloring book she was working on. "No," I said slowly. "I don't think so. 'Cause if I was a cat, I would miss out on knowing alot of the wonderful people I know."
The answer was good enough for Perky who went back to coloring. Olive was fine with it, too, it seemed, for she continued candidly, "My brother says I act like a cat..." We talked for a few more minutes on that subject before moving on, but the idea got me to thinking.
I am so thankful that I am not a cat, that I am a human being, that I know that my Creator God planned for me to be a female person and nothing else. How many dear friends He has given me to enjoy! How many opportunities I have gotten to have because I can work, and think, and go, and interact! A cat, or any other animal, has a seriously limited life. They, of course, are made for man's enjoyment and benefit, but they don’t get to know some of the most enjoyable parts of my life. I appreciate the fact that our cats have (to some degree) been good at catching rodents. I enjoyed our dog that ran around, lay on the grass, barked at squirrels, or laughed his great, big, tongue-lolling grin at us. He didn't provide any huge contribution to our family, but he was fun to have around. I even liked our Beta fish which did nothing more than swim back and forth in their glass domains and eat and dazzle me with their gorgeous colors and designs. But to be a person—specifically a person who has purpose based on a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of the world!—is to know joy and peace, work and rest, pleasure and even the benefits of sorrow (since sorrow is to drive a person back to reliance on Christ). It is to have gain and loss, to meet strangers and become friends, to take advantage of family relationships in order to grow in love for each other despite quirks and personalities and talents. It is to know the highest privilege of the human life: peace with God through realizing one’s sinfulness and Christ’s righteousness, one’s right to punishment and God’s gift of forgiveness through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
Olive sparked more than she can imagine by her innocent, child-like question and I am grateful. To my Savior and Lord: I thank You for causing Olive to ask this. It is wonderful to know You, my Father! To all my friends and loved ones who mean so much to me because I am a feeling, thinking human, I have to say: I am so thankful for you--and I am so thankful that I am not a cat!
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