See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God;
and that is what we are. (1 John 3:1
NRSV)
I grew up with parents who took me to church every Sunday whether I wanted to go or not. I can
remember being resentful at times. I would even act like I was sick so I would have to go to
church. But I will never forget the love I received from my Sunday School teachers--particularly
Tessie Stewally. She had a way of bringing out the best of me and the rest of her students. Tessie
made each of us feel special and loved. She had such an impact on me that we became friends.
When I was in high school, she got to the point where she could no longer drive to church. She
lived just a mile down the road from my house, so I would stop in periodically and visit with her. I
still often see her in my balcony as one of my mentors cheering me on.
When we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and love our neighbors as ourselves, we
experience Christ.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for the people you have sent my way to be in my balcony
to cheer me on. May I also share your love by being a balcony person for someone in need of
your precious love. Amen.
Written by: Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA
Saturday, May 9, 1998