"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

1       Corinthians 13:4-8

A group of children were once asked, "What does 'love' mean?"

-        Rebekah, 8, said, "When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time—even when his hands got arthritis, too. That's love."

-        Billy, 4, said, "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."

-        Bobby, 7, says, "Love is what's in the room at Christmas, if you stop opening presents and listen."

-        Nikka, 6, says, "If you want to learn to love better, you should start with someone you hate."

-        Tommy, 6, says, "Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."

-        Jessica, 8, says, "You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot."

The beauty of these definitions of love lie in their innocence and naiveite, and yet if you read them over and over you realize how profound they really are.

Inside the heart of a child lies the beauty to see the world as God created it to be. There is still hope and trust and belief that we can all live together as one. Their hearts are not corrupted until they hear the adults around them pass on their prejudices and bigotry and hate.

I pray that no matter our age, we can all see the world through the eyes – and the heart – of a child, and in that see God.

"Father, Thank you for innocence and hope which live within a child. Help us all to remember that we are Your children, and still possess a picture of Your Kingdom ingrained in the part of us made in Your image.  In Jesus' name, AMEN."

Grace,

Rev. Dan