It was no different this week for his high school graduation. Terri, her husband Daniel and many from his extended family, Roger, John’s brother Nick and sisters Blake and Lisa, his best friend Isaiah, his favorite waitress at the local Waffle House…. and of course, we were there. Susan fought back tears most of the evening. We are all so proud. This fall John has decided to wrestle at the junior college in Iowa we recently visited. So many of you have prayed for John over the years and we ask that you continue… as life tends not to get easier.

It was a beautiful ceremony at the football stadium in Foley, Alabama as around 350 students reached an important milestone. Two brief speeches were given by the president and vice president of the senior class. The vice president was of Hispanic descent and closed his talk with a beautiful prayer, praising God and asking Jesus to direct all his classmates into the Father’s purposes. The full stadium, made up of black, white, Hispanic, and Asian citizens said ‘Amen’ at the close.

God only knows the faith of each individual, but the entire evening I felt He was being honored. When the graduates tossed their caps into the air and the music played, it seemed as if everyone was proud of everyone. On the field, differences of skin color or social status did not matter, all were hugging, shaking hands, and celebrating the moment. I know there is no perfect high school or perfect town, but it just seemed the prayer of the young vice president set a tone. We need God in our midst.

Jesus, the hope of the world, lives in the hearts of those who believe in Him and receive Him as Lord and Savior. He is the hope of glory… and He is in our midst.

“God’s plan is to make known His secret to His people, this rich and glorious secret He has for all peoples. And the secret is that Christ is in you, which means that you will share in the glory of God.” Colossians 1:27 (Good News Translation)

I guess I should finally admit Delane was the best athlete in the family. He won many honors in the city as a high school football player, but when age 60 arrives, you’ve got to find other passions. For several years Delane has written poetry. He usually just shares his poems with loved ones, but recently he self-published a second collection.

Of course our mother thinks he is another Robert Frost, just like she thinks I am another C. S. Lewis. We both try not to let her praises go to our heads, but it is hard.

For almost four decades Delane has worked with teenagers and young adults who struggle with mental illness. He knows the huge needs families face and the challenges in our society to provide help. I am proud of his life and the way He points to God as our true Helper.

Here’s a recent poem entitled: ‘I Used To’:

I used to get up early,
And go to my favorite spot,
With my trusty rod and reel,
With hopes of catching a lot.

An old man with gray hair,
Who fished on the nearby dock,
Would calmly field my questions,
And say, ‘Cast over by that rock.’

‘Patience is very important,’
Was his advice most days,
‘Not only in fishing but in life,’
He would wisely say.

I am the old man now,
With years of fishing past,
Passing on that same advice,
To youngsters as they cast.

You will catch more fish,
If you wait on them to bite,
And better handle problems,
Being patient throughout your life.

Pray that God will give you patience,
And He will graciously supply,
All that you faithfully ask,
On that you can rely.

“My child, if you take My words to heart,
if you set store by My commandments,
tuning your ear to wisdom,
tuning your heart to understanding,
yes, if your plea is for clear perception,
if you cry out for understanding,
if you look for it as though for silver,
search for it as though for buried treasure,
then you will understand what the fear of the Lord is,
and discover the knowledge of God.
For the Lord Himself is giver of wisdom,
from His mouth issue knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:1-6

Mama is my greatest fan. She cares… no matter what. She sends notes; she cheers me up; and she prays non-stop for me and all her children. Of course, when we were young, she disciplined us and prepared us to be good citizens. She always has a song about Jesus on her lips and has a special place in her heart for the poor.

How do we truly honor the one who cares most for us? A card or flower or meal or book can never fully communicate what we feel. In person or in our memories, we all can thank God for giving us solid examples of what it truly means to care.

God uses a mother’s care to describe His own. “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.” (Isaiah 66:13) His capacity is unlimited. “Cast your cares on the Lord, for He cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7) What a beautiful truth God wants us all to take to heart: “I care for you.” If we are intensely praying for a loved one, we can know God also cares for that loved one. His love is infinite.

Perhaps in our youth, we could sometimes fool our mothers. My cries while being disciplined were often exaggerated; I wanted it to stop! Like Nannie, her mother, Mama was full of mercy. We tried to take advantage…

God is also full of mercy, but He is never deceived. He knows every thought, motive, and trick. “You cannot fool God, so don’t make a fool of yourself!” (Galatians 6:7) As with our earthly parents, love is often shown through discipline. God disciplines because He cares!

“Thank you, Lord, for caring. Thank you for our mothers and a day to honor them. Teach us to care more deeply. Amen.”

“’My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one he accepts as His child.’ Endure hardship as discipline.” Hebrews 12:5-7

The top hand is larger now as this picture was taken a few years ago. Wilkes turns 7 on March 21! The bottom hand belongs to Rex who turns 89 on March 19. My hand is on his and Taylor’s is on mine. As we lead our young so the Good Shepherd gently leads His sheep.

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” (Isaiah 46:4) The One who created us cares for us… whether our hair is dark and thick or white and thinning (or absent), He carries us.

“For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.’” (Isaiah 41:13) The Good Shepherd says: ‘Fear not; I am with you.’ “He guides me along the right paths for His Name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:3-4)

‘My sheep hear My voice and will not listen to others…’ Why would we listen to enemies or trust the hired hands who run away when there is danger? No… we will listen to the perfect Shepherd who laid down His life for us and promises to be with us forever.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:5-6

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me—just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My life for the sheep.” John 10:11-15

“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30

My dad shared the happy occasion with a waitress and she must have spread the word. As they were eating their meal, a man walked by and patted my father on the back and said: ‘Happy Anniversary.’ When they went to the counter to pay the bill, my parents were told: “No… someone has already covered it.” My mom found their waitress and asked who did the kind deed so she could thank them. The waitress said: “Actually ma’am, people were almost fighting over the privilege to pay.”

Such surprises lift the spirits any day of the week, and such generosity brings a smile to our Heavenly Father. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit! Besides being a place of worship, the Temple of old was to be a place of prayer, healing, and compassion. Now God plans His children all over the world to reveal His Light to all through such means.

When Jesus says: “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” I think He is telling us to always act like the Father… towards friend or foe. ‘He is kind; you be kind. He is compassionate; you be compassionate. He is merciful; you be merciful.’ What change might there be in this world if the children of God spent less time vocalizing, posting, and arguing… and more time pouring out extravagant love?

The secret giver in The Country Place did not care to be known or to call any attention to self. He or she (as well as those who fought over the privilege) just wanted to do something nice for an older couple… and my parents were blessed.

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” I Corinthians 3:16

“If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:32-36