Dear Faith Family, 

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are, (1 John 3:1). 

“It’s getting later and later in the day!”  Those words have been repeated over the years as my wife’s family anticipated being together for vacation.  Translated: we will soon be together.  And, here we are in the midst of family enjoying the Christmas season. 

Our son, his wife, and our two grandchildren arrived on Monday.  What a delight!  We’ve built short lived castles in the sandbox.  Awed at the neighborhood Christmas lights.  Lit up the night with sparklers in the driveway.  Took multiple rides to the moon on the swing set.  Drag raced tricycles in the hood.  Read the Christmas story sprawled out on the floor in the den.  Rearranged the nativity, daily.  Scarfed a whole bunch of delicious vittles.  Traversed the treacherous sands of the living room on a camel built for two.  Mowed the driveway with a bubble mower.  And, played with the animals at Riverbanks Zoo. 

Tonight, we light up the firepit!  Roasted hot dogs and smores here we come!  But at the top of my favorite things?  Well, that would be when my grandson comes to me and lifts both arms up to me.  He wants me to pick him up.  And, you know it.  Up he comes.  No good thing would I withhold from him.  When he rests his head on my shoulder I’m overwhelmed! 

Harvey reminded me of the love that our Father has for us!  Can you imagine that our Father’s heart for us, His children, surpasses even our love for our own?!  Like, is that even possible?! 

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins, 1 John 4:9-10. 

So much does our Father desire our arms extended to Him that He not only affords our praise, He calls for our praise.  Not only does He listen to our prayers, He calls for our prayers.  Wow!  Let that sink in!  Stop and consider the love that your Father has given to you.  Soak it up. 

Soon we will be with Him in paradise.  For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known, 1 Corinthians 13:12. 

It’s getting later and later in the day, 
Pastor Karl