Hello, God. It's me, Mara,

You know, Lord, it's been a long time ago, but way back when, we viewed a beautiful painting done by William Hollman Hunt titled "The Light of the World." It pictures Jesus standing outside a cottage door, which is overgrown with dead weeds. The door has no latch. In one hand Jesus holds a lantern, bright with light. The other hand is knocking on the door. The painting clearly shows that we must answer the knock and open the door before we can know the abundance of God's love.

When we were kids in Sunday School, we learned that Jesus's life, death and resurrection taught us that our true home is in the realm of God. With You, we will receive abundant life when we lift the latch of our hearts and welcome Christ into our hearts and lives.

Many of our pastors have a wonderful way of teaching this message. The scripture quoted with the picture is 2 Corinthians 8:9: "For you know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was: though He was so very rich, yet to help you, He became so very poor, so that by being poor, He could make you rich."

This last year, many friends have passed on to You, and how great to know that they had opened their hearts door to receive, You, Lord, so now they are at home with You. We thank You for Your steadfast love and thank You, loving Lord, and ask You to help us to know that we are Your beloved creation.

An elderly friend in another state had a picture of "The Light of the World." She knew that her daughter and two grandkids would love this picture as they, also, had opened their hearts to You, Lord. Thank You for Your gift of Eternal Love.

Love, Mara