What matters by Gary Rose

I love this time of year in central Florida. The weather is mild and the air conditioning is off, the windows are open and the fresh air is wonderful!!! The oppressive heat of the summer months are fading from my memory and life is GOOD!!!

When I saw this jpeg today, I was reminded that it is based on a jpeg written by an eight year old girl (printed, not cursive, of course) and marveled at its wisdom. I couldn't help but wonder how one so young could be so insightful.  Then, I realized that if a person truly understands love, so many other things just "fall into place"!!

Consider this passage from Paul's letter to the Romans...


Romans, Chapter 8 (World English Bible)

  28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. (verse 28 - emp. added GDR)  29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  30 Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified. 

  31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  32 He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?  33 Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 

  35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Even as it is written, 

“For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”


  37 No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,  39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  

(verse 37-30 - emp. added GDR)

The hymn says "Jesus loves me, this I know" and if you believe it, you have come a long way in this life. You have an advantage in everything you do, including the way you look at life. The girl who originally wrote the saying and the "Little church mouse" are a success in life because of their attitude. And the weather doesn't really matter, does it?

What really matters? God loves you and you love God. Jesus died for your sins and showed his love for you- what have you done in response??