Hi,

     Since the beginning of time perhaps, people have sought to answer the question, "What does love mean?". The advent of the World Wide Web has helped spread a wealth of information and a greater wealth of mindless information. I tend to get a lot of forwards from people who evidently think that I need more information. I will be honest with you; most of it falls in the mindless information category. A while back, someone sent me the following. I don't know if it is true or not, but here it goes. A group of four to eight year olds were asked what love was all about. Here are some of their responses.

When my grandma got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandpa does it for her now all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.
Rebecca - age 8

Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.
Terri - age 4

Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.
Danny - age 7

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.
Bobby - age 7

My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.
Clare - age 6

You really shouldn't say "I LOVE YOU" unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.
Jessica - age 8

Love is when mommy sees daddy on the toilet and doesn't think it's gross.
Mark - age 6

     Now most of these are cute but also pretty insightful. I am almost positive that Mark -age 6 has no idea of what love is about. He will find out one day I bet.

     This is my very favorite.

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouths.
Billy - age 4

     As we journey through this Lenten Season, Billy's words are even more special. The Gospels tell us that on that Sunday after that terrible Friday, that the women went to the garden to anoint Jesus' body. Remember that when they got there the huge stone had been rolled away and His body was gone. They saw the gardener and rushed to him to ask where they had taken Jesus' body. All of a sudden, Jesus turned to Mary and called her name. Saint John tells us that Mary instantly recognizes Him and calls out to Him, "Rabboni! Which means teacher. Mary heard her name and knew it was her Master, her Savior.

     You see, Jesus said her name differently. Mary knew that her name was safe in His mouth. That is an amazing showering of love. Billy - age 4 figured out the best way to understand the love of Christ. We just have to listen for Jesus to call our name and feel that love and know that we are safe in His mouth.

     As parents we need to constantly be helping them understand love. Our love for them. Their love for us. Their love for others. And of course, our love for God and His amazing love for each of us.

                            See you Sunday,


                            Steve

p.s. Please make sure that your youth is clued in on our Refuge Annual Plant sale. If each of our youth just sold or bought a few plants, we would all have a merry Christmas. Or at least we would be able to buy cool stuff for the Refuge. The plants are always top quality and the hanging baskets are amazing. The last day to order is this Sunday, March 8th and pickup times will be next Wednesday and Thursday at the Refuge. Here is all the information you need.