Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”                     Mark 3:34-35

To be honest, I had all but forgotten about the Thanksgiving Eve service last week. Fortunately, that afternoon Jeff and Cheryl Thacker had graciously agreed to take me to Sioux Falls to run some errands that required the use of their van, and mentioned that they needed to get back to Luverne in time for rehearsal for the service that night. (I have to mention that I love being with the Thackers because wherever they go, there are opportunities to serve God to which they invariably respond, and that day was no exception. Somehow, we managed to respond to the God-opportunities, complete all my errands, enjoy a lovely lunch, and get back to Luverne in time for rehearsal.) Still, it wasn’t until I was in my kitchen preparing candied yams for the obligatory November family get-together the next day that it occurred to me to attend the church service.

In previous years, Rick and I were taking care of my dad and preparing for the arrival of “the family”, so hadn’t been able to attend the Thanksgiving Eve service, so I didn’t know what to expect. I admit I rolled my eyes when I realized that the theme for the service was “being thankful for our families”. My own family relationships tend to be complicated and often disappointing, so I indulged in some good, old-fashioned self-pity as I watched the pictures of happy, “normal” families flash up on the screen. I couldn’t seem to get past feeling sorry for myself as I thought about facing the holiday season “alone”. <sigh>

But then Mike delivered a message that spoke to everyone – even people like me, who find it easier to be grateful for our family members when they are 200 miles away. I left the service with the satisfying awareness that I have a very large and loving faith family who care about me despite my quirks and eccentricities. As if on cue, Frances Veldkamp approached me as I was heading for the door, and we chatted about settling into our respective new homes. Afterward, as I drove to the grocery store for some last-minute purchases, I found myself thinking about all the kindness, warmth, and love Rick and I have received from our ARC family over the past few years, and I thanked God for leading us into such a loving fellowship of believers. Not long after I walked into Glen’s I encountered Darrel and LaDonna VanAartsen in the dairy section. They took a few minutes to chat, reminiscing about the retreat-planning meeting Rick and I had hosted just over a year ago. I bumped into several other ARC members as I browsed the canned vegetables and the frozen foods. As I turned the corner of another aisle, Codie Zeutenhorst called out to me from his place in line at the cashier, asking if I had any more painting that needed to be done, offering to lend a hand. As I was leaving the store, Dave Hup was just arriving to get the cat food he’d forgotten earlier, and we had a chat about my new house (he was the realtor representing the sellers).

As I drove out of the parking lot, I realized that I’d just attended a delightful “family reunion” right there in the grocery store! I felt a greater sense of love and acceptance in that few minutes than I had at many obligatory family gatherings over the years. In fact, as I reflected on my day, I was amazed at how thankful I am for my faith family and for how wonderful it feels that even a “square peg” like me can “fit in” to a round hole – if the opening is wide enough. Thank you, ARC family, for opening your hearts to me. Thank you for helping me celebrate a heartfelt Thanksgiving!

Joy Dawson

I submitted this article two years ago; I submit it again as an introduction to our Advent series.

In the land of Puzzling Tales there lived an eight year old boy by the name of Jason. Now in this land and in the neighborhood where Jason lived, the unexpected always happened. Instead of football they played kneeball; instead of the children “going to school” the teachers were busy “going to homes;” and in the summer it was not uncommon to see water freeze and in the winter time leaves grew on trees. It was a funny, strange place.

One incident in the land of Puzzling Tales stands out. When it was time for Jason’s ninth birthday, as usual, the unusual happened. Jason’s grandparents drove all the way across the state to help celebrate, but of course when they got to Jason’s neighborhood they went immediately to the Browns down the street and visited and stayed there.

When Jason’s mother finished frosting the birthday cake she gave it to the mailman to eat. And when all the kids in the neighborhood heard it was Jason’s birthday they exchanged gifts with one another, and of course, Jason got none because he wasn’t even invited to the party.

There was a blizzard of birthday cards. The post office had to hire extra workers to work long hours to handle the deluge of cards. Of course in the land of Puzzling Tales the expected was the unexpected and the kids, the moms and dads, grandparents, even a couple of dogs and a parakeet got cards, while poor Jason got none.

Finally about nine o’clock, in a fit of frustration and anger, Jason went out of his house, borrowed the school cheerleaders’ megaphone, rode up and down the street on his unicycle and shouted at the top of his lungs, “WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS IT, ANYWAY?” And the night was so silent that all night long echoes bounced off the mountain sides: “Whose birthday is it anyway?” “Whose birthday is it anyway?”

(The story about Jason was written by the Reverend Arley Fadness of Shaloam Lutheran Church in Harrisburg, South Dakota)

Do you suppose there’s someone else who feels like Jason? In a few short weeks we will celebrate Jesus’ birthday, and yet isn’t it puzzling how every year we have to remind ourselves to stay focused on the “reason for the season.” Where did we get the idea that we should give other people gifts on Christmas? Wouldn’t it have seemed strange if the shepherds out in the fields and the magi would’ve had a $5 gift exchange as a celebration of Jesus’ birth?

If we celebrate Jesus’ birthday, shouldn’t he be the one who receives the gifts? Often times during the advent season we focus on the gifts he brings us, the gifts of hope, peace, joy and love. But what if this advent season we focused on what gifts we could give to Jesus. Like me, maybe you could sit down for a few minutes and think about the four best gifts we could give to Jesus. (And by the way, thank you for submitting your ideas).

If you could give Jesus anything in the world, what four gifts would he appreciate most from you? Here’s a starter, like Mary, let’s spend a good amount of time sitting at Jesus’ feet reflecting on “all these things” surrounding his birth: “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

May it not be so with ARC worshipers to get caught up with the commercialism of Christmas, but may we instead spend sufficient time pondering the significance and impact of the incarnation on our lives.

I bring you good news of great joy!

Mike Altena

After preaching last week I felt a little harsh in my assessment of Riverside, the church in our classis who submitted a petition to withdraw to another denomination. I did vote to deny their petition, but I will admit that some of the issues they brought up about our denomination are troubling, and it would be good for ARC members to educate themselves on these issues. This article will give you a brief overview of what is going on and a comment or two from me. These are the four main reasons Riverside wants to leave:

1. The removal of the “conscience clause”- After women were first ordained as Ministers in 1979 in the RCA, a provision was made for other ministers and elders to refuse to participate in their ordination. This clause was lifted in 2013, and now it is expected that all other ordained people in the classis would participate when a woman is ordained in the RCA.

Cory’s opinion: RCA churches are not required to hire women as pastors unless they want to. They are free to approach this issue according to their collective conscience. Therefore, I believe this issue shouldn’t divide us.

2. “Acceptance of Human Sexual Sin”- Riverside makes the case that as a denomination we are soft on homosexuality, because we fail to enforce our stated beliefs and some respected voices in the RCA are supportive of the movement to affirm LGBTQ people in their sexuality.

Cory’s opinion: This is the biggest issue of the four and could lead to a major divide in the RCA. Currently our official stance is that “homosexuality is a sin”, but that will be debated in April at the so-called “RCA Jerusalem Council.” After that time we will have a better idea of the future of the RCA. Until then churches have been urged to embrace a “season of restraint” concerning this issue. I.E. don’t petition to leave just yet!

3. Concerns about the Belhar Confession– This document was adopted by the RCA in 2010, and it speaks on behalf of oppressed and minority peoples, suggesting that churches must take a role in embracing “the least of these” in order to be faithful to Christ. Riverside feels this shouldn’t be an official confession of the RCA and could be used to force us to see homosexuals as an oppressed group.

Cory’s opinion: I hate that this issue is lumped in with the others, because I love the ideas in the Belhar Confession and believe they are biblical. I strongly disagree with Riverside on this issue.

4. Formula of Agreement– Since 1997 the RCA has been in “full communion” with the ELCA, PCUSA, and the UCC. We are allowed to exchange ministers with these denominations. Again, this goes back to the homosexuality issue as these other groups all ordain homosexual pastors, etc… Riverside argues that we will be led in the same direction by partnering with these denominations.

Cory’s opinion: This is a worthwhile argument to consider. However, like #1 above no RCA church is forced to hire any certain pastor they don’t want. The bigger issue to me is the general influence of these groups on us.

Summary: I encourage everyone to pray about these concerns and educate yourself from Scripture about the truth of the matter. Also, I believe we have to treat “withdrawal” from the fellowship as a last resort, only necessary if we absolutely believe God is leading us in that direction. Above all, when people are engaging in these debates with hatred and anger, may it not be so with us. ARC will engage hard issues with love!

Cory Grimm

Shaggy & Scooby, Bert & Ernie, Pooh & Piglet, Charlie Brown & Snoopy… friends, pals, buddies. These famous friends have stood the test of time. At times we have watched these duos get into arguments or go their separate ways, but in the end, they were always there for each other.

I have a friend like that. Her name is Heidi. From as early as I can remember, Heidi was my best friend. We were together whenever possible; sometimes we got into trouble (usually my fault), sometimes we got into an argument (also usually my fault), but we were devoted. We have been through a lot together; celebrations, sleepovers, peer pressure, rejection, bullying, tragedies, deaths of family members, problems with siblings, Algebra… and that was just from Kindergarten through High School. If someone asked me what a great friend would look like, all I would have to do is think about Heidi and I could give you a very good picture. She was always there for me, was a great listener, and could always make me laugh. She cried with me, encouraged me, gave me advice, forgave me, and always loved me just for being me. She was the wind beneath my wings. After high school, we went our separate ways; she got a college scholarship and I got a diamond ring. But the friendship remains.

I have often thought of Jesus in a similar way. He is my friend. He is always there to support me, encourage me, and help me whenever I am in need. As the favorite hymn states, “What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” The hymn goes on to pose the question, “Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?” I think we would agree, the answer is no. We will never find a better friend than Jesus. He is a perfect friend.

But what about me? Up until last week, when our Life Group watched the video for Experiencing God, I had never thought about what kind of a friend I was to Jesus. I was struck by the statement, “There is a difference between having Jesus as your Friend and you being a friend of Jesus”. Maybe I just assumed friendship was mutual. I would hope if I claimed someone to be my friend that they would echo that I was their friend also, but maybe not. Is it possible to have a friend who is not your friend in return?

In John 15:12-14 Jesus says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” Jesus claims us as his friend if we do what he commands, and the command stated here is to love one another. Jesus also says that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Seems like love is a pretty important factor in being Jesus’ friend.

So how do you measure up in the love category? Are you following Jesus’ command to love as he loved? To love both the sinner and the saint? To love the lovable and the unlovable alike? People will know that we are friends of Jesus, not by the religious rules that we keep or the words that we say, but by the honest way in which we show love by our actions.

May it not be said of you or me that we were not friends of Jesus because we were not willing to obey his command.

Erin Jacobsma

I’d like to share a word of encouragement with you from a guest who recently joined us for worship. She began by sharing the devotion she had read that following Monday morning. Although I’m not sure who the author was, it was entitled: The Focus of Evangelism. The Bible verse under the title was from Acts 2:47, “The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Below is the devotion.

Pastor Chuck Swindoll tells about what was, at one time, the greatest outreach center in the metropolitan Boston-area—a gas station in Arlington. Bob, the owner had a vision for his work being part of his faith. He provided such honest and dependable service that cars would often line up just to buy gas and be serviced at his station. There were no “Jesus Saves” banners, religious sayings or “fish” symbols in sight. Just Bob—a committed Christian who led dozens of people in faith in Christ because of his Christlike life.

Rebecca Pippert has said, “Christians and non-Christians have something in common: We’re both uptight about evangelism.” People found Christ at Bob’s gas station because Christ, not evangelism was what they encountered. When evangelism, the church, or even Christianity takes place of Christ, everybody gets uptight. What’s your “gas station”? Whenever you encounter non-Christians, ask God to show how to make Christ, not evangelism, the focus. Every Christian is a lens through which the world is trying to catch a glimpse of Jesus.

At the end of the devotion she simply wrote. “ARC made me feel like I was at Bob’s gas station yesterday…good for you!!!!” I don’t know about you, but that blesses my heart. By feeling welcomed and loved by you, our guest caught a glimpse of Jesus.

When it comes to evangelism, inviting people to worship may be one method. And while I hope we would all be blessed by being with the family of God, inspiring worship, and a gospel centered message, my prayer is that our worship would always result in a face to face encounter with God. My hope is that when people come to ARC they get filled up with the love of God, the grace of Jesus, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Certainly inviting people to church is one method of evangelism, however, I also believe an equally effective method for reaching the lost is through your “gas station.” My prayer is that we would all grow in being hospitable like Bob. If a salesman would stop at your farm, would he/she catch a glimpse of Jesus? When the Schwan’s salesperson or the Jehovah’s Witness stops at your home, will they get a glimpse of Jesus? Or when the telemarketer calls, do they get to hear the voice of Jesus though you. When someone stops by your business do they experience the particularizing way of Jesus?

May it be said of ARC that we would boldly and excitedly point people to Jesus and that God would add to his church daily those who are being saved. Well done good and faithful servants!!

Always prepared to share the hope,

Mike Altena

This fall, I had the privilege of accompanying the Luverne Cardinal Marching Band as a chaperone to a couple competitions in neighboring communities. Even though my daughter rode on a different bus, I think she was glad to have me along.  After weeks and weeks of hot summer sun and what seemed like endless 7AM rehearsals (for child and chauffer, a.k.a. mom) the band took the field and smoothly glided across the green grass in straight rows, unique formations, and dramatic sound. As the spectators sat and watched, I couldn’t help but feel excited and delighted to cheer from the sidelines as they paraded on and off the performance field. I still feel exhilarated inside just thinking about it!

For some of you, your joy is found in watching your child or grandchild catch the winning touchdown, dribble a basketball, run endless miles, show their 4-H steer, tickle the ivories… the list is endless, really. As a parent, encouraging our children to practice hard and be great at whatever they choose comes naturally. After endless trips to practices and events, we have the privilege to sit on the sideline cheering for our child to achieve all they can, and do what they love.

While reflecting on the excitement of a successful marching band season, I began to wonder if we encourage our children to participate at the same level in their spiritual life. Do we cheer from the sideline when they are actively working in God’s Kingdom right here on earth? Are we helping them practice? How about the “playbook”; do we encourage them daily to know and do the “plays” God illustrates for us in the scriptures? Or, has the math homework, hockey games, and after school jobs replaced that part of the cheering section? Perhaps we are satisfied if our children (and even ourselves) make it to church on Sunday morning, youth group on Sunday night and midweek during the week. That ought to be enough, right? After all, it seems silly to ask our children to read a spiritual book or do a Bible study outside of those times.

I was recently heavily convicted when reading through the gospel of Mark.

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” Mark 7:6b-7. I just sat there and looked at the black letters on the crisp white paper and asked, “Lord, is this me? Is this what we have made of your church?”

As a follower of Christ, a mom, and ministry coordinator of the children and youth here at ARC, this verse has weighed heavy on my heart the last several weeks. I want to be certain I am not blindly passing on traditions that are man-made and not of God himself. The programs and activities we participate in here at church are meant to make our lives saltier, not the only spiritual activity we partake of during the week. Each gathering of believers should be spent lifting each other up and celebrating the God-sized things He is doing in our lives. These gatherings are not meant to be our only time spent with our Creator during the week, as though it will be enough to sustain our relationship with Him.

May it never be said of ARC that we actively honored Gods with our lips, but not our hearts. May we all be life-long learners who are actively seeking God and cheering on our children, friends, and loved ones to do the same each and every day.

Becky Ossefoort

I’d like to share one more lesson from the Highway 75 project. You may remember after the resurfacing process was complete that there were no visible painted lanes on the road surface for about two weeks. Then one day a special machine was brought in to etch the new three lane figuration into the asphalt so the new paint would last longer. Although there were still no painted lines, the new lanes became slightly visible because a thin layer of asphalt had been removed.

Well, the emotional hook for me was that even though there were still no painted lines, after the lines were etched into the asphalt the drivers immediately began driving within the boundaries of those new lanes. People immediately began driving in the two lanes rather than in the four lanes. (Except me of course; because there were still no painted lines, I just kept driving as if it was a four lane road J).

And then what made it more interesting for me during those two days was, even though there were no lanes marked by paint, I wondered if I could safely assume that I could use the new turning lane, or would the oncoming traffic think I was on their portion of the road.

As I reflected on how quickly the drivers made the adjustment to new lane configuration even though there were still no painted lanes, I realized the same is true of you and me. You and I really don’t need to see the printed words of the Ten Commandments written on a piece of paper or carved into a piece of granite slate because God has already etched his law on our hearts. We know in our hearts how God has created us to live in community.

As it says in Jeremiah 31:33-34, “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. ³⁴ And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

So the truth is, even though some county seats and state capitals are removing the Ten Commandments from their property, we need not fear that people won’t know right from wrong because God has already etched his instructions deep on our hearts. Even thought the “painted lines” may no longer be visible, people know the damaging effect idolatry, blaspheming God, dishonoring parents, stealing, contempt, lust, and lying has on our communities.

Which then leaves the real problem; a rebellious heart. There are far too many people who know deep in their hearts that they should love God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength, and their neighbors as themselves, and yet they choose to ignore and live outside of the law of God.

Father, may it not be so with us. May you grant us repentance. May you guard us from veering off onto the wide road that leads to destruction and keep us firmly rooted on the narrow road that leads to life. We give you thanks for giving us a new heart and putting a new spirit in us. We give you thanks for taking out our stony, stubborn heart and giving us a tender, responsive heart. And therefore as your people, may we submit to your Holy Spirit as we carefully live within your law of love.

Following in the dust of the rabbi,

Mike Altena

The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people…     I have heard them crying out…and I am concerned about their suffering. Ex. 3:7

Last week Saturday I had the chance to lead the chapel service at the Union Gospel Mission in Sioux Falls. This ministry offers beds and meals to homeless people, as well as other services such as life-skills training, employment leads, Bible studies, addiction support, etc. They still hold to the traditional format of offering an evening meal after you have listened to a required chapel service, and ARC leads that service every 2^nd Saturday of the even-numbered months (anyone from church is free to attend with me or whoever leads).

I got there early, set up my guitar and music, and then began to walk around the room greeting people as they came in. I wanted to put into practice the skills we are learning in Experiencing God, so I stood by the kitchen at the back of the room and began to survey the crowd, asking the Holy Spirit to guide me to the place where He was working, that I might join Him there. I wasn’t hearing anything specific, but I did notice there were tons of children there that night.

“Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering…” Is. 53:4

The chapel service began and I introduced myself, led a couple of songs (a loud version of “Soon and Very Soon” and a country version of “Victory in Jesus”) and then had the feeling from God that I should call the kids up for a children’s message. I went with that impulse and they all gladly and boldly came forward and encircled me. I asked them if they knew any songs about God or Jesus, and one 10-year old boy said, “Jesus Loves Me!” We began to sing together and it was clear the majority of the kids were unfamiliar with the tune. However, after singing through it twice they were beginning to learn. It was clear the adults appreciated the extra attention given to the kids.

I shared a short message based on a conversation I had last week with someone who was battling suicidal thoughts, and I encouraged people to not give up and to discover their purpose for life. We talked about Paul, who would have rather been done with this life on earth and go be with Jesus, but was willing to stay for the sake of the people who still needed him a little longer. Then I suggested that everyone in the room had someone out there who needed them, and that was a great reason to press on in this life and to follow Jesus, not just for our own sake but for those around us.

After the service was over and we all sat down together to eat, I enjoyed several meaningful conversations with the people there, but one stood out. There was a couple not much older than myself, probably early 40s, and they had a 3-year-old girl with them. They told me that when I mentioned suicide in my message, the little girl started to cry because a year ago her daddy killed himself. Naturally I was touched by that and asked more questions about their story. The couple was the child’s grandparents, and it was their son who died. The mother of the child is not in the picture as she is caught up in the partying lifestyle, which only got worse after the suicide.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal. 6:2

As I drove home that night I found myself wondering how we can get more ARC members into meaningful relationships with people who find themselves in the midst of challenging circumstances. In our culture people tend to withdraw when they are in crisis: major financial issues, loss of family members, divorce, drug/alcohol addiction, etc. Yet these are the times when a heart may be most open to the tender and loving voice of Christ. Traditionally church people have kept their distance from those whose lives are in disarray, but may it not be so with us.

Cory Grimm

Have you ever had your head so far buried in something that you had trouble seeing what else is going on around you? This has been part of my struggle lately. My family is in the process of finishing some home improvement projects and then moving to a different house, and my mind has been so embedded in the list of things that need to be done in a short time that other things have gotten overlooked. My apologies to those of you who have been on the “overlooked” side of things!

I was recently reminded of how our focus can get us into trouble when we were making a trip to see our daughter. As we drove north on Highway 75, an unusual sight caught my husband’s attention along the edge of the road. He was quite certain he saw an animal in distress and we turned around to investigate. Sure enough. There was a cat sitting very close to the white line with his head stuck inside an empty peanut butter jar. The poor cat was so distraught about the predicament he was currently in that he was completely blind to the very real possibility of becoming roadkill if he stayed where he was at or moved even a little in the wrong direction.

Now we are not some animal rights activists by any means, but it would sadden us to have someone’s pet end its life under the rubber of an automobile. After checking to make sure there was no oncoming traffic, Doug stepped out of the car to assist the cat. Much to our dismay, the cat wanted nothing to do with our help. Every time Doug moved toward the cat, the cat moved farther away from Doug. He tried to relay to the animal his intent to help and not to harm, but I can only imagine what a 6 foot man looks like from the inside of a jar, and the cat would not cooperate with the rescue attempt. Eventually, the cat ran across the road, through the ditch, and in the direction of where we assumed was his home, with his head still inside the container.

As we left the cat to fend for himself, I felt bad for abandoning him in this situation. He had at least gotten away from the highway so part of the immanent danger was gone, but he was far from being okay. However, I had to accept that there was nothing more we could do if he didn’t want our help. I was struck by the similarity of how God also wants to help us as his children but we often run in the opposite direction. He pursues us over and over again, but we are a stubborn and stiff necked people. Three times in Romans 1:24-32, we read that “God gave them over” to their sinful desires. Thankfully God is much more patient with us than we were with the cat, but there comes a time when God says enough is enough.

We have been learning over the past five weeks about how to experience God, how He speaks to us, and how to do His will. One of the ways He speaks by His Holy Spirit is through our circumstances, even situations involving a stubborn cat. Another way He speaks is through His Word. Romans 1:21-22 says, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.”

So what does that say to you? Have you been listening and surrendering to His ways, glorifying Him and thanking Him, or have you high tailed it in the opposite direction and hardened your heart? May it not be said of us that we ignored the voice of God or turned our back on Him, but that we turned toward Him, fell on our knees, and repented of our foolish ways. Take a lesson from a cat and instead of running from God, try running towards Him.

Our family has experienced several firsts this fall. Our daughter, Kaylie, started high school and our youngest son, Evan, started kindergarten. It is hard to believe our little guy is old enough to start school and possibly even harder to believe I am old enough to have a high schooler! Josh and I have come to understand the “careful, they grow up quickly” phrase everyone uttered when we were just beginning our family.

As we began the school year, Evan was so excited to hop on the bus and go to school. He was looking forward to seeing his friends every day, wearing his backpack, and using his gym shoes. After his first day he reported it had been a great day! There were no tears as we sent him down the driveway to the bus the next morning, either. His report on the second day was similar to the previous day, except he added, “Dad, maybe tomorrow I could just skip school and stay home and help you.” We all laughed and went on with our evening. The next morning he was convinced he would be staying home. On the morning of day four, he suggested Daddy come get him from school to help unload pigs and then bring him back to school when they were done. Yes, it is going to be a long, long 13 years!

This got me to thinking about my relationship with my Heavenly Father. When I first accepted God’s invitation to begin a relationship with Him I did everything I could to serve my Master. Working as His servant daily was pure joy and I was excited to share with my friends, read the Bible and worked diligently for the kingdom. Yet, as I served Him, I started spending less and less time with Him each day. Eventually my Bible was only cracked open on Sundays, my to do list grew, and the praise music could only be heard faintly in the background. What happened to the excitement of serving my Master?

Last week Mike’s message asked us to search our heart and ask ourselves if we really truly believed God loved us. I have had times in my life where I did question God’s love for me. Times I thought I was so unworthy of God’s grace, and caused me to wander away from God all together. I served only one master – myself. Since being born again, I have experienced God’s love over and over again. He is my Defender, my Father, the God who saves me, Comforter, Redeemer, Teacher…the list goes on. After the message last week, I was not left wondering does God love me, rather how much do I really love God. Is He truly my greatest passion?

It is so easy to lose sight of what is truly important as I run kids here and there, the laundry piles up, and my to do list grows. Eventually my quiet time with God tends to get shorter and shorter with each passing day. The busyness often distracts me from what I long to have as my greatest passion. Yet, I soon recognize something is missing and know I’ve neglected what is essential in my life.

I’m so grateful I serve the Father depicted in the story we know of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15) Whether I’m the prodigal or the brother who has allowed the cares of daily life to overshadow his relationship with the father; I know that God is always patiently waiting to restore the joy of His salvation.

When it comes to our relationship with God, may it not be so with us that we spend all of our time doing what seems so urgent, but rather may we be intentional about spending time with our Creator. If you have wandered and question God’s love for you, maybe ask yourself how deeply you love your Maker. I can promise you He loves you more than you can ever imagine. Turn around, He is waiting for you with arms open wide and He is calling you home. Becky Ossefoort