It was the annual Christmas party for the Civitan Center and Civitan Apartments. After a great meal, a local country & gospel group started singing Christmas Carols. They had only played a few songs when Abby (fictious name) walked up to the band and reached for one of the mics. She had not heard her favorite song, and she was in a singing mood.

Even though I had known Abby for several years it was hard for me to understand her…that is until that moment. She took the mic, without waiting for the band, began to sing her song, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so…”  I watched as she sang…her eyes danced as she belted out the words…All from the heart. The group got into it and sang along…Abby was a star. That night Abby was performing for her Jesus. Yes, Jesus was in the room. He was proud of His Abby.

Over the years I have thought about that time and asked myself, “Why I don’t have that boldness…that Joy…that simple comfort & confidence of knowing, “Jesus Loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”? Loving Jesus for Abby was simple & clear. She approached her relationship with Jesus just like she did with everyone. She just wanted to be with you…to be your friend. It’s about being in the presence.

I am thankful for the 30 years I had with some of God’s most incredible people…people with developmental disabilities. They shaped how I think and how I see people. They, the professors of “Real love,” daily taught unconditional love. It simply didn’t matter who you thought you were. It’s the Joy of being loved by someone warts and all. The freedom of love without an agenda.

I experienced the good, the bad and the ugly of life during those 30 years. One of those was with a sweet lady I will call Martha. I was standing with her at her mother’s casket. As we stood there, tears rolling down her face as she told her mother goodbye. She would talk & cry and then look up at me and say, “You know, mama is not there, she is in Heaven with Jesus.” She repeated this several times until she looked up at me and said, “Come on let’s go get a hamburger.”  Was she sad? Yes, she was broken hearted. Martha & her mom were close. They talked for hours on the phone every night. Martha spoke of her mom as if she were the Queen of England but today, she knew that her mom was ok because she was with Jesus. She didn’t try to explain it…she just knew. She was at peace.

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Do you have the Hope…The Hope that provides the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7)? You can you know. God clearly tells us in Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Then begin the incredible journey of walking with Him as you leave the baggage of sin behind. And here’s the incredible news…we are never alone on the journey. Jesus told us in John 14:16-18 “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know Him, for He (Holy Spirit) dwells with you and will be in you.”