Blessed and Happy Mother’s Day to you all!

Today was such a wonderful day. Geni was honored as being a college graduate (even though she really does not graduate until this coming Friday night.) And our great niece, Holly, was baptized this morning. Our family did finally get together this afternoon in Allen for a family cookout and celebration of mothers and families. But my favorite gift of all was standing in the praise team with Bruce, Geni and Travis.
When we sing together it is always the greatest joy I experience. Thank you, Father.

1 Peter 1: 22 “You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.”

During this morning’s worship all of the graduating seniors were honored with a special solo sung by Linda Wentzel while a power point presentation of each graduate in different stages of their lives was presented. The pictures were wonderful. As I sat there holding Bruce’s hand, tears of joy rolled down my face in pride for our daughter and all she has overcome, all she has accomplished, all that is ahead of her, but mostly out of our love for her. I was reminded of another power point presentation made about two and a half years ago as the Celebration of Life worship service for our son, Casey. The tears shed then were for his extraordinary faith, courage, our loss and the love we had and still have for him.

We have been blessed to have some of the most precious moments of our lives occur and be celebrated in the house of the Lord with family and friends present. And as I watched those family photos of the graduates on the screen today I saw the strong family resemblances and knew to whom these young people belonged.

How can others tell to whom we belong? More importantly how can others tell we belong to God? How do we resemble our heavenly Father? Are we patient and kind? Do we treat others the way we want to be treated? Do we model godliness and holiness in our everyday life. God tells us in His Word in 1 Peter that we must “Love each other deeply with all of our hearts.” The old song says, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”

How do we show love to those around us? Scripture tells us that because we were cleansed from our sins we must show sincere love to all as if they were our brothers and sisters. Not only are we to show love, we are to love deeply. God wants us to love each other as he loves us. God loves us deeply and wants to be the model of his love for others. So let us love each other deeply the way he loves us.

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Hug someone who needs to know God’s love. Count your blessings and say your prayers. When you pray, remember that God, out of His love for us, loves us deeply and remains with us when we are journeying through the great times and the times that are tough. Love you, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.