John 3:16

An email went around some time ago that bears repeating.

“A church in Atlanta was honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. I wondered why the Church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at the age of 92. After a warm welcome, as the applause quieted down, he rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gate to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself. Quietly and slowly he began to speak. “When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50 odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials.

The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heart break, and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me… the only thing that would comfort was this verse…

‘Jesus loves me this I know.

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong,

We are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me…

The Bible tells me so’.”

When he finished, the church was quiet. You actually could hear his footsteps as he shuffled back to his chair. Here is a new version just for us who have white hair or no hair at all.  

JESUS LOVES ME (for Seniors)

Jesus loves me, this I know,

Though my hair is white as snow

Though my sight is growing dim,

Still He bids me trust in Him.

Chorus: Though my steps are oh, so slow,

With my hand in His I’ll go

On through life, let come what may,

He’ll be there to lead the way.

When the nights are dark and long,

In my heart He puts a song.

Telling me in words so clear,

“Have no fear, for I am near.”

When my work on earth is done,

And life’s victories have been won.

He will take me to my home above,

Then I’ll understand His love.

I love Jesus, does He know?

Have I ever told Him so?

Jesus loves to hear me say,

That I love Him every day.

Reflection:

As the days and years go by can you say your relationship with Jesus is sweeter than the day before? Focusing on Jesus removes feelings of desperation as we face bumps in the path. Telling Him every day how much He means to us reverses those negative thoughts which spoil our joy. Wherever you are on your journey through life will you let the love of God sustain you? The exquisite peace of being led by the One who loves us sooo much cannot be matched by anything on earth. Thank you Jesus!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)