God Smiles At Pure Hearts

By Beverly Hill McKinney

“Hey honey, you have a letter”, said my husband, Jim.

Since retiring and moving to Oregon, mail delivery has become a highlight of the day. Looking at the letter, I noticed it was addressed to Grandma and Grandpa. I immediately knew it was from our eight-year-old grandson, Jacob. I pulled out two sheets of paper, a letter and drawing. Unfolding the letter, it read, “Grandma, I want to come visit you because you are my best friend. I love you, Jacob.”

The caption on the drawing read, “To Grandma.” The drawing was a mother hen and chicks. This brought back special memories of our visit to a petting farm with Jacob and our daughter. Jacob lives in Southern California and farm animals are unreal to him. He enjoyed the miniature goats, chickens, llamas and especially the horse “Doctor Pepper.”

Looking at these pages, thinking of Jacob at his desk biting his bottom lip, I smiled and felt such love for him. It reminded me how God must smile at us, His children, when we send love letters to Him. Every whispered prayer or time spent in sweet fellowship with Him, reflects our love.

This simple letter is a lesson to us in how we can show love to our Savior.

Jacob’s letter did not ask for anything.

He said he loved me and I was his best friend. We approach our Lord with our list of things we need, forgetting to just sit in His presence with love. Jacob’s letter made me feel that he just wanted to sit in my lap.

Jacob wanted to see me.

Are we looking forward to a time of fellowship with the Lord or is it drudgery? One of the highlights of Jacob’s visit is he and I sitting in the patio swing and just talking. His quiet laughter and sharing are special.

Jacob tells me he loves me.

How many times do we tell the Lord that we love him? God showed His love to us by sending Jesus. Yet, do we stop and tell the One who died for us how much we love Him?

If we were to draw a picture for God, would we draw a beautiful picture, carefully showing how much He has done for us or would our picture be dark with regret for those times we have failed Him?

The Bible tells us how much the Lord loved children. He enjoyed them and wanted them to come to Him in love. We are God’s children and we can either tell Him how much we love Him or spent the time complaining.

In Matthew 18:3 we are reminded that unless we become like children, (with pure hearts) we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. We must become as children to enjoy the blessings of the life God has given us, daily spending time in His presence and loving Him. As we look at the pure heart of a child, we as His children can reflect on Him and look forward to spending eternity with Him. I am sure God smiles.

Beverly Hill McKinney writes from Rogue River, Oregon. bmckinnehill@yahoo.com