Friends of Jesus

This week, we are again considering the great love of God.  We see that love in all of creation.  We learn of that love in the life of Christ.

For many of us, our mothers were the first to embody for us the love and devotion of Christ.  Our moms held us, nurtured us, and guided us along the many paths of life.  At this time of the year, we pause and reflect on our mothers.

One of my earliest memories of my mom is that of planting flowers beside our house.  We would check on the flowers each day, to see if they were growing.  We watched as the stems poked through the ground, as petals formed, and as blossoms opened.  Mom taught me my colors with those flowers.  One of my most cherished photos shows me bending over to sniff the flowers, while Mom held me to keep me from falling in the dirt.  I loved those flowers, and I loved my mom.  Unfortunately, I also loved the dirt, and Mom spent a lot of time working to keep me clean and tidy.

I am blessed to have so many good memories.  Others are not so blessed.  Their memories do not put smiles on their faces, as mine do.  I remember this, as I give thanks, and I pray that everyone does learn of God and God's love.

God loves us so much!  Creation shows the love of God.  Jesus Christ embodies that love.  This week, we are considering the love of God as demonstrated in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Christ, who gave his life for us, commands us to love one another.  Love is the mark of a follower of Jesus.  Christ calls his followers "friends" in this week's Scripture lesson (John 15:9-17.)  What wonderful news!  What a friend we have in Jesus!

It reminds me of a little song my mother taught me, "If anybody asks me who I am, who I am, who I am, if anybody asks me who I am, I'll tell them I'm a friend of Jesus!"

Amen!