Happy I-was-too-busy-to-write-yesterday-SUNDAY, friends.
I had my morning coffee with Jesus time—even got my verses selected—but then the day filled up.
One of the first songs many children learn is “Jesus Loves Me.” Put that together with “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and you have the average toddler’s greatest hits.
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One of the most important things our children need to be told—early and often—is how much they are loved.
The first time I held each of my grandchildren, I whispered to them how much Grandpa loves them and how much Jesus loves them.
As I was reading this song yesterday morning it occurred to me that we should also teach our children how much God loves everyone else, so when they look at those around them, they know they are seeing people that Jesus loves.
Even if they disagree.
Even if they’re doing something goofy.
Over the next couple of days, I’ll be representing Texans on Mission at a Baptist Convention that I attended for over 30 years as a pastor and church association leader. The last time I attended was in 2022 before my “retirement” a few months later.
Regardless of your denominational affiliation, or even the work you do that may not be religiously connected at all, one thing is almost assured to be true whenever your group gets together:
Somebody’s going to do or say something goofy.
There are going to be “eye roll” moments.
It’s gonna happen.
And in those moments, we really need to remember a couple of things:
1. That person cares just as much about this as I do; he or she just sees it from a different perspective.
2. Jesus loves that person just as much as He loves me AND He expects me to love that person.
In Genesis 45, Joseph sends his brothers back to Canaan to get his elderly father, Jacob, and bring the whole clan back to Egypt so they can be cared for during the famine.
When I read his instructions to them in 45:24, I had to chuckle: “Don’t quarrel along the way.”
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Why would he say that?
Because he knew how things go.
In my years of attending Baptist meetings, I’ve seen some tense moments in the business sessions.
Maybe somebody ought to remind everyone that, because Jesus loves us, we can have our discussions without quarreling. We can disagree without being disagreeable.
As I’ve seen on a bumper sticker, “Jesus loves you, and I’m trying.”
Maybe we should try harder.
Be amazing today, my friend.
