Esther Letters

My mom is a saint. and those of you who know her I am sure you agree:) When she started a Women's Sunday School class many years ago she wanted to think of a way to encourage the ladies in her class in a way other then just on a Sunday morning...so she began writing letters to them. Real letters. With stamps. That she sent in the mail. These started going out to just the women in her class; probably about 20 people...then 40...then 50--and then once she started emailing them these letters really caught on; and I think more than 200 people get to read these "letters" every week. I don't know why I have never posted them before; but I am going to start; and what better week to start then a week that she is writing about Charlie:)

"Dear friends,

Let me tell you about my grandson…. Don’t worry I don’t have the accordion style picture file to unfold for your review. What I would like to tell you about is how very much our 6-month-old, Charlie enjoys his meals! As his mom pulls out the baby food jar or those little chunks of orange or green “slime” that she has so painstakingly created with fresh fruits and vegetables with the help of a blender, Charlie begins to react. His reaction…. is over the top. He begins to kick both legs, swing both arms, and wail with enthusiasm. We’ve giggled at him a bit noting that he just must not remember from the last meal a few hours ago that, yes, indeed, he would be enjoying that coming meal. It is almost as if he could see it and was so very desperate for it, but just could not believe he was really going to get it. After enjoying the yummy green and/or orange delicacy, he is treated to dessert – a yummy bottle of formula. Reread the above account of the coming food and understand the same reaction accompanies the coming bottle. INTENSE… Clay was shocked this Christmas with an unexpected game system. A week later he has emerged from the basement “game zone”. He has been about as intense about his game as Charlie is about his food.

What I also noticed about Charlie is the relaxation of his body, mind and soul when the bottle reaches his sweet little mouth. It is that “Nestea commercial moment – falling back right into the sparkling pool of water.” Some of you young friends will not remember that commercial – ugh, I am showing my age again. The moment cannot be described with words, suffice to say, it is an “all is right with the world” moment.

So what does this has to do with the New Year and its goals and celebration? We studied this morning, from 2 Timothy chapter 3, Paul’s “passing of the ministry torch” words to his mentee, Timothy. His words included sound advice to Timothy, advice that we can peek right into and grab hold of… “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Paul used these same words in Ephesians 2:10. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Do you hear that, we are created to do good works, prepared for us by God, but the only way we will be equipped to do them is to immerse ourselves in His word… the Bible! I sure want to be available and prepared for anything that God has planned for me, don’t you? Our pastor challenged us back in the in fall to commit 2% of our day in quiet time with God. That equals about 30 minutes. Are you up for it?

I thank my God every time I think of each of you, and my prayer for you for 2011:

May God’s clear guidance lead you into the decisions, joys and challenges that will accompany 2011!

Let’s get prepared!

Susan"