Greetings Peaceful and Assured Saints and Friends,
​As restrictions due to the annual flu season were easing at the beautiful place where Grandma lives, we called to be sure we could drop by and visit her. We were told we could visit, but surprised when we were told that we needed to make a reservation. A reservation? That sounded so formal. Did they elect Grandma Queen of the facility? No, they just had to restrict the number of people in the building at one time. We made our reservation for the next day. Daddy tuned up his guitar, Mama rosined up the bow for her violin, and my sister and I practiced singing ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘In The Garden’. Grandma’s room was not large, but it was sufficient for our visit. When we arrived the next day to see Grandma, she met us at the door. The lady behind the desk had plenty of questions about our health and even took our temperature. We were in for a nice surprise, too. Restrictions had been lifted even further, so we could visit with Grandma in a large room down the hall. As we moved down the hallway carrying our instruments and talking with Grandma, we saw a number of people sitting in the doorways of their rooms. Others were resting before completing their journeys down the hallway. Some smiled and asked where we were going. But what stood out the most to me, were the people with the long faces and sad expressions. I wondered what they were thinking and how I could help make them smile. My sister asked, “Grandma, do you know if these people have heard that Jesus loves them?” “Yes dear, they have. Since I have been living here, I have made sure of it! Many of them have been Christians for a long time. But during this difficult flu season of separation from one another, their thoughts have gone to the past, instead of the future. Though they know Jesus as their eternal Savior, the old sin nature sometimes reminds us of our past mistakes. Then, seeds of doubt are planted in our minds concerning His forever love for us.” “Grandma, has that ever happened to you?” “Yes, Sweetheart, it did. After Grandpa went to be with Jesus, I began to wonder if I could have done some things differently. I even wondered if God took Grandpa from me because I had done something wrong.
But Pastor Harold reminded me that Satan is the accuser. God is the forgiver. Jesus paid for all of my sins, when He died and rose again. And God has cast all of my sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19 God has, and always will, love us. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever trusts in Him is forgiven of the past, and has a glorious future in heaven. God will never take that away.” “Grandma, maybe Mama could tell these people about her two friends?” “Which friends?” “Patty Peace and Abigail Assurance. Mama says when she just can not remember a Bible verse, she can remember Patty Peace, who reminds her that Jesus said, ‘My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ John 14:27 Even though He knew the cross was coming, Jesus had perfect peace. Patty Peace reminds us that, with the peace of Jesus, we can endure life’s trials and look forward to the joy of heaven. Hebrews 12:2 Mama’s other friend is Abigail Assurance. To see her smile when she talks about seeing Jesus face to face one day, is quite a sight to see. Especially, since she is blind. Abigail says her favorite hymn to sing is ‘Blessed Assurance.’ Mama told us that her name should be Abigail Re-assurance because she has so many of His promises memorized, like: ‘I go to prepare a place for you and I’m coming back to take you there.’ John 14 And His last promise in the Bible, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Revelation 22:20 She tells Mama, ‘If every Christian lived like Jesus were coming back today, they will not be so surprised when He does.'” “That’s true, dear. Jesus does not want anyone to be surprised at His return, but ready for His soon coming to take us home to heaven.” “Grandma, is it true that anyone can be forgiven by God no matter what they have done?” “Yes. The Bible says: ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ 1 John 1:9 And ‘all’ means all. When Jesus died for our sins, He died for all of them. Anyone can pray: ‘Dear Jesus, thank You for paying for all of my sins when You died and rose again. Thank You for Your peace in this life and Your blessed assurance that heaven is my forever home with You. Now help me to live each day expecting Your return and to tell others about the peace I now have. In Jesus’ name, Amen.’”