Devotions from Judy’s heart

We received a letter this week from a “Special friend” in Des Moines.. While we were at our church there, we had several “Special People” that attended, and they usually sat with me in the pew. When we moved away, Caroline wrote letters to us and after all these years she continues to write often. She prints her letters and usually they say the same thing each time. She always includes, “I love Jesus…. I go to church… I love you….You are good to me….Your are my friend…. ….write to me back soon.”   Now this appears very simplistic but doesn’t it say it all?   Most importantly she loves Jesus first and spends time each week in church. Then she expresses love for us and lets us know we are important to her. She also wants a response and asks that we write back and share with her. Our lives are filled with so many words, but when you remove the “fluff”, what is important?  First that we receive God’s love and love Him in return. Secondly that we reach out to others and show them His love. Thirdly, we receive from others what God gives through them to us.  Everything else is secondary when we get the basics.  Let us get our priorities straight that He is first, others second and ourselves third.  Jesus said it simply in reply to the Pharisees in Matt. 22:  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And a second is like it You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”