Dear Rose Park,
These past few weeks have been a lot for all of us, haven’t they? Lots of emotions. Lots of planning. Lots of conversation and communication. Lots of schedules and calendars. Lots of questions and lots of answers. So, given the weight of the past few weeks it was no surprise that when I walked up the stairs to my bedroom a few weeks ago and saw a handmade note from my daughter Winnie, I shed a tear or two.
Winnie wrote two notes (pictured above). Both were taped to our bedroom door. One to Sam and one to me. To Sam it said, “You make me smile Mom.” and to me it said, “You make me simle Dad.” She did her best and her kindness meant the world to me. Her note made my heart smile. It reminded me of how strong love can be. It reminded me of God’s deep love for us and His creation. With so much going on in our lives and in the life of our country and world, so much that makes us feel small and helpless, it’s heartwarming and truly good to remember not only you can still make someone smile, but that God still deeply loves you.
Perhaps this was the sentiment when the author of Proverbs wrote: “do not let love and faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 3:3-4). With all that’s going on around us, you and I need to bind the love of God to our hearts, minds, and souls. We need to remind ourselves that God deeply loves us and that we are called to share that love with each person around us.
This is all to say, maybe you can make someone smile (or simle) today with the way you share God’s love. Maybe it happens in a phone call, a plate of cookies, or even a handwritten note that’s taped to your door. Bind and seal that love to your heart and take it with you wherever you go.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark