One of my great grandchildren was baptized last Sunday. She wanted to be baptized earlier, but her parents felt she should wait a little while and be sure she understood her commitment. Why do you want to be baptized, they asked. “Because Jesus said I should,” she replied. This straightforward answer is how children think. There’s no reasoning around the simple words of Jesus. If he says we should do something, then we should do it. No wonder Jesus said the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

As I look out my patio door, nothing is moving in my backyard. Usually squirrels are racing around and birds are flitting through the branches of the trees. Not today. I don’t blame them as it’s 102 degrees and we’re under a bad air quality alert too. Too much for me to challenge as I stay safely in my air-conditioned cocoon of a house. But not everyone is so fortunate. Painters are still out there painting the house across the street. No matter the temperature, other workers are at their jobs doing the same today. And, what about the homeless! Lord, have mercy!

Be strong. Be courageous and wait for the Lord, says the psalmist (Psalms 31:24, NRSV). If you’re like me that’s not always the easiest. It’s difficult to be patient. Sometimes I think my prayer requests are urgent and need to be resolved immediately. Please, Lord, it’s an emergency! But I’ve learned what I believe is a crisis is not necessarily so. Sometimes, yes, but not always. God looks at the overall picture for the most good for all concerned. Be strong. Wait for the Lord. His timing is always the best.

If you’re like me, sometimes you can feel as if you’re hopeless. Maybe you’ve made a stupid mistake or said something inappropriate that hurt someone. How could you, a child of God, be so clueless. We must admit we aren’t perfect but dwelling on our faults is not what our Savior wants or requires. Just the opposite, Jesus came to take away our guilt and shame. It’s gone! We are new in Christ! A brand-new creature, filled with the light of his Spirit.  When negative thoughts get you down, remember, you are not those dark voices that put you down, you are who God says you are!

How many times have I read the Sermon on the Mount and thought what wonderful words. wouldn’t it be great if everyone lived like that. Maybe someday when I’m with Jesus I’ll be able to measure up to that standard. After reading it again this week, I’m thinking why would Jesus give us that beautiful guideline for life if we were unable to achieve it. We are in him; he is in us. We’ve been promised all the help we need. Am I making excuses because living his way seems so impractical or maybe even dangerous in some circumstances?

At a brunch get-together, one of the children there looked a lot like Linus of the cartoon Peanuts fame. Cute as he could be, thumb in mouth, 4-year-old Jonah was dragging around a well-worn blanket. I was getting better acquainted with his grandmother when he came up, stood directly in front of me and looked intently at me. I was surprised, as I thought he might be a bit insecure around people he didn’t know. “Well, hello,” I said. “What’s your name?” He replied, pointing to my face, “You have cream cheese right there.” No insecurity in this child!

Once when Jesus was telling the pharisees how hypocritical they were, his disciples questioned his bluntness. Don’t you see you’ve made them angry by talking like that. Jesus didn’t hate the pharisees, but they hated him. They didn’t like being reminded of what they already knew in their hearts was true. Were his disciples often embarrassed Jesus spoke so plainly or maybe fearful of what the pharisees might do in return? They were a powerful group in Israel. Our reminder today, Jesus doesn’t mince words. As his disciples today we should be ready, without fear or embarrassment, not only to hear Jesus’ truth but also to act on it.

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and those who are fathers to others! My dad left this world way before he or any of us wanted. His brother who stepped in as a grandfather to my children is gone now too. I grieved over those losses in my children’s and my life. But as sad as I was I knew I would always have a Father. My daddy was a good man who loved and cared for me. Some fathers are good, some are not, but none are perfect. Our heavenly Father is both perfect and eternal. He will never leave us!

As I prayed through some of the Psalms this morning, I noticed how often the words steadfast love come up when describing God. In other versions it may say unfailing love. How comforting are those words! I don’t know about you but some of my loves have failed me. I’ve been disappointed and hurt and I have disappointed and hurt others. But, our God, never! We may stray from him but he never abandons us. That understanding fills my heart with joy! Like a little child snuggled up in the arms of dad or mom, in his steadfast love I am at peace.

Sometimes I wonder how people can live without God in their lives. I couldn’t function at all without knowing he’s always right there guiding me through life. Then, it occurred to me, no matter what those without a relationship with God believe, he is in their lives. They wouldn’t be alive otherwise. Though they don’t acknowledge him he’s there with them all the time, showing them his love in so many ways. Won’t they be surprised one day to look back and see how often he intervened in their lives out of pure love.