“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1
What comes to your mind when you think about the love that our Heavenly Father has lavished upon us? The twelve smiles in the attached photo bring a smile to my face as I have hugged each one of them; each one of His children attending school at Caredeux. The world does not understand the reason for their smiles as these children live in a Third World country.
They know Jesus. I smile when I think about being so blessed that I can buy lunch for these twelve kids for under five dollars. As John Hall used to say, “ain’t God good?” The hymn ‘Hail, Thou source of every blessing’ was written in 1810 by Basil Wood and seems to express the joy we have when we fully realize all that is lavished upon our lives each day.
“Hail, Thou Source of every blessing, Sovereign Father of mankind! Gentiles now, Thy grace possessing, in Thy courts admission find. Grateful now we fall before Thee, in Thy Church obtain a place, now by faith behold Thy glory, praise Thy truth, adore Thy grace. Once far off, but now invited, we approach Thy sacred throne; in Thy covenant united, reconciled, redeemed, made one. Now revealed to Eastern sages, see the Star of Mercy shine; mystery hid in former ages, mystery great of love divine. Hail, Thou all-inviting Savior! Gentiles now their offerings bring; in Thy temples seek Thy favor, Jesus Christ, our Lord and King. May we, body, soul, and spirit, live devoted to Thy praise, glorious realms of bliss inherit, grateful anthems ever raise!”
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay