Words from the Heart

How can anyone truly comprehend the love of God? He’s our Father, our Creator, the One to be revered, perfectly just, infinitely merciful, and overflowing with love. In fact, God is love itself. If you ever need proof, read 1 Corinthians 13 and replace every instance of “love” with “God.” It’s powerful. His love for us stretches far beyond human understanding. Yet, every now and then, we get tiny glimpses of it through the love we experience here on earth — little reflections of the power of God’s love. One of the first times I caught even a speck of what God’s love might look like was through my parents. I grew up in a home where love wasn’t just spoken, it was lived. Never once did I question whether my parents cared for me. They nurtured, guided, and cherished my siblings and me, even in our not-so-lovable moments. If flawed, imperfect humans can love so deeply, through toddler tantrums, teenage attitudes, and all the chaos in between, how much greater must God’s perfect love be? He is our heavenly Father, loving us as His precious sons and daughters. The love you feel from family, no matter how strong, isn’t even a sliver compared to the boundless love God has for you. Another way I’ve encountered God’s love is through my husband. This love is different, not parental, but chosen. Parents don’t get to pick their children, but in marriage, you intentionally choose someone and commit to love them for life, come what may. The Bible tells us that a husband and wife are to leave their father and mother and cling to one another (Genesis 2:24). Marriage is a covenant, a sacred promise before God. The love my husband and I share is imperfect but steadfast, a conscious decision every single day. Sometimes I marvel at how deeply my husband loves me, so patiently, so unconditionally, and then I remember that God’s love is even greater. That thought completely blows my mind! God chooses to love us, not because we’re perfect, but because it’s in His nature to love without limits. Recently, I’ve experienced another layer of understanding God’s love, through my baby girl, born this past July. She can’t yet say, “I love you,” but my heart overflows for her in ways I can’t describe. I’d do anything for her. And even if, someday, she pushes me away, says hurtful things, or walks a path that breaks my heart, I know I’ll still love her. Always. That’s how God feels about us. We sin, we ignore Him, we forget to pray, we fall short, yet His love never wavers. When I hold my daughter and realize God loves her even more than I do, and that He loves me that much too, it leaves me speechless.  Maybe you didn’t grow up with loving parents. Maybe you’ve never experienced a healthy marriage, or you don’t have children of your own. Maybe the word “love” feels distant or unfamiliar. If that’s you, please hear this: God loves you deeply, right now, just as you are. God proved His love through Jesus Christ, His one and only Son. Jesus, fully God and fully human, willingly took on our sins and died on the cross so we could be forgiven and restored. He did that for you, for me, for everyone. That’s love beyond comprehension,  the kind that dies for people who don’t even love back. And if you ever doubt that love, look around. Watch the sun rise, listen to the waves crash on the shore, walk through a forest, gaze at a glowing sunset, or look up at the stars twinkling in the night sky. Every bit of beauty on this earth is a love letter from your Creator, a reminder that your Father delights in you. No matter who you are, where you’ve been, or what you’ve done, God’s love for you remains unshaken. You can run from Him, deny Him, even curse His name, and still, He waits with open arms, ready to forgive and embrace you. His love isn’t fragile or conditional; it’s fierce, relentless, and eternal. You are never too lost, too broken, or too far gone for His grace. God doesn’t love you because you’re worthy, His love makes you worthy. That’s the miracle of divine love: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. So if you’re wondering today whether God truly loves you, the answer is simple and unchanging, yes, more than you could ever imagine. Madison Mote

This is one of the beautiful pieces of artwork by Jamie that will appear in our upcoming book, Iam The Lamb and the Good Shepherd: A Psalm 23 Book. I’ll admit it, I’m an Audible addict. I listen to books every chance I get. Driving, doing dishes, folding laundry, exercising — everything feels lighter with a good story in my ears. There’s something soothing about letting my mind go on autopilot while being drawn into another world. Honestly, I don’t even mind being stuck in traffic if I’m caught up in a great book. On our recent road trips, my husband and I got completely lost (in the best way) in Charles Martin’s Keeper series — The Water Keeper, The Letter Keeper, The Record Keeper, and The Keeper. Forty-three hours and forty-seven minutes of edge-of-your-seat, laughter-inducing, tear-jerking, thought-provoking storytelling! Throughout the series, one line echoes again and again: “Tell me what you know about sheep.” It’s such a simple question — yet it carries incredible depth. It made me pause and think about what the Bible says about sheep and the Good Shepherd. Here are a few facts about sheep that Martin mentions, and some I’ve learned myself (we once had two pet sheep named Tori and Carly!): They are prone to wander. They get lost easily. They are easy prey because they have no natural defenses — no claws, sharp teeth, or speed to escape predators. They can seldom find their way home. They must be led to food and water because they cannot find clean water or good pasture on their own. They struggle to see clearly beyond a few yards in front of them. They can be easily startled by shadows or moving water. They are instinctively social and will follow the flock, even if it leads them into danger. They need a shepherd. Studies show sheep can recognize individual faces and voices. They won’t follow a stranger, but they respond immediately to their shepherd’s call, a beautiful reflection of what Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” How We Are Like Sheep When we look closely, it’s not hard to see ourselves in these same patterns. Like sheep, we are prone to wander, chasing distractions, following the world’s lead, and drifting from the safety of God’s presence. We, too, get lost, become fearful, and struggle to see the bigger picture. Without the guidance of the Good Shepherd, we fall prey to the enemy’s tactics, exhaustion, and confusion. But when we listen to Jesus’ voice, the voice of our Shepherd, He leads us back to peace, purpose, and home. The Comfort of Psalm 23 Psalm 23 paints the most tender picture of this relationship: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Just as sheep depend on their shepherd for protection, nourishment, and rest, we depend on Jesus, the Good Shepherd, for everything our souls need He knows each of us by name, leads us to still waters, and restores our weary hearts when life feels heavy. We are never meant to navigate life alone. The One who made us walks before us, guards behind us, and calls us by name. So the next time you feel lost, anxious, or uncertain of the path ahead, remember this:You are one of His sheep.You have a Shepherd who never stops watching over you, guiding you, and leading you home. Stephanie Karr    

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is teaching them how to pray.From the time they’re little, kids experience big feelings such as fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, even when we wish we could shield them from it all. Whether it’s being dropped off at daycare, going to bed alone, facing a new school day, or hearing thunder in the middle of a storm, these moments can feel overwhelming. Prayer brings calm in the chaos and peace in the middle of fear. Model Prayer by Example The best way to teach prayer is by example.When we pray out loud with our kids, they learn that talking to God is normal, personal, and powerful. Praying before meals teaches gratitude for God’s daily provision. Praying before bed quiets their minds and helps them rest in peace. Starting the day with prayer invites God into everything ahead, from math tests to playground moments. When my kids were younger, we prayed every morning on the drive to school. I’d ask for God’s protection, provision, and guidance for their day. Sometimes I’d forget when we were running late, and they’d remind me, “Dad, we haven’t prayed yet!” Those small moments told me the habit was taking root and it made me smile. Helping Children Build Their Own Prayer Life Over time, children who hear us pray learn to pray on their own. They begin to understand that God listens, cares, and is always near. Soon, they start praying when we’re not around, in the middle of the school day, before a big game, or when they’re lying in bed at night. Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s simply helping our children know they can talk to God anytime, anywhere, about anything, and that He loves to listen. What a beautiful legacy for any parent to leave behind. Ted D. Karr Author of Need Pray Listen: Discovering How to Pray Powerful and Effective Prayers