Three Lessons from Laura

But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! John 15:7 NLT

My little friend Laura is just 1 1/2 years old. Because Laura is a Down’s Syndrome child some people have few expectations of her abilities but in her special way she has already taught me three of the most important lessons about faith.

As I sat with her at the church picnic she smiled bigger than any of us “normal” folks because she knows that only this moment counts. By her laughter she is pointing the way to the bottomless well of joy just resting in Jesus.

When Laura’s Mom or Dad come to pick her up she wiggles and snuggles deep into their arms. She doesn’t have to work up courage to go because she is confident that she can go anywhere in the world as long as she is with them.

When she waves her arms reaching out for what she needs she is not ashamed. Whether she is asking for her book a kiss or a cookie it is all the same. She is delighted to ask for anything trusting that her parent’s love is the guarantee she will receive.

Thanks Laura for the lessons and thank you Lord for sending her!

Family Reunion

It’s one thing to prepare for a family reunion and quite another to have them move in permanently. For a week or maybe even a month we can tolerate a certain amount of disorder to our daily schedule. Though we do love sharing a part of our lives we also look forward to realigning our things and our routine to what we were used to doing.

Jesus is inviting us to more than just a visit. He wants us as members of His own family. He opens wide the door to His Father’s house but He makes very clear from the beginning that this is not a temporary stay. His offer is not just for more life the way we are accustomed to. We are freely invited to join with the understanding that this family reunion is not a one and done experience. We don’t just get to come for a while and return home unchanged.

If we are to follow Jesus as a family member He wants us to know that we will only reach our destination by taking our cross every day.

But do not be afraid because the wonderful secret is that in the moment we accept His invitation we will discover His shoulder is already under the beam carrying the weight.

…My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:30 ESV