John 3:16

Sunday, March 13, 2011 (7:42 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

How I love You! How I thank You. How very grateful I am to You for all You have done for us this past year. You have grown each of us in ways that we could not have imagined. You allowed our strengths and weaknesses to be seen by all. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that You “so loved the world that You gave Your one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). It is in believing Your Truth and promise that our family has continued to grow in faith this past year.

It was exactly one year ago at about this time of the morning that I last had a dialogue with my mom. We smiled and joked together before I left her to her morning routine. Lord God, how I thank You that I got to be there. Thank You that it was going to church and seeing some of her family that she was most excited about that last morning. Thank You too Lord, for the blessed memories we have of the night before. Truly a time well spent with love and laughter, family and food.

You are so good Lord. It absolutely is the truth of Your Word that has enabled each of us to not only function this past year, but to grow in ways we would have never imagined. Believing her to be safe at home with You, we have no worries.

It is the truth of the verse mentioned above that memorializes her on her headstone. “So loved”. Thank You Lord that there for all who will see are the two words that best describe her. “So loved” by You. “So loved” by her family and friends.

Lord, You provide for each of us to live our lives in such a way. Because You “so loved the world” we all have the opportunity to believe in Your one and only Son and “not perish but have eternal life.” Help us make that choice! Teach us what and how it is that we are to live a life so well that when it is over others will remember us as being “so loved”.

Thank You for the love my mom showed for You, for others and herself. Help us to live in the way (Your Way!) that brings honor to her memory and glory to You.

I love You so much dearest Lord. It is in Your precious Son’s name that I pray. Amen!

(428 words ~ 8:38 a.m.)