Dear Great Nephew

 

Sweetie,

"When I was your age, I didn't understand words like "nephew," or great-nephew," or what they meant.  I called my relatives by their names or nicknames. Nobody really explained anything else about them to me. "

"You've called me "Auntie Dorothie" all your young life.  We have fun when I visit my sister, your great grandmother, in Chicago, but I don't think  I've ever explained how or why you call me "Auntie Dorothie."

"No, you haven't."

"Have I confused you" Well, grownups usually confuse young children.  Actually, we mostly don't have the words to explain to a young person like you what we mean when we use some words.  I enjoyed talking with you this morning and know that you do remember me.  I love that! "

"Okay."

 Now, I just learned you've been crying.  Silent tears trickled down your handsome face!  So, I'm going to do what your first-grade teacher probably does in class.  I will repeat what we talked about this morning."

"God loves you! He knows just how you're feeling right this minute!"

"Who is God, Auntie Dorothie?

"Your question caught me off-guard because I didn't expect it.  I had to stop and think of how to explain Who I was talking about.  "God is Spirit.  That means you can't see Him but He sees you and me.   He i's always with you.  He saw you crying.""

"What?"

"Yes, He did! He has superpowers.  You can't see me because I live in Denver, Colorado, and you're in Chicago, Illinois.  Right? We are a thousand miles away from each other, which is why we can't see each other. But you can hear me and I can hear you! Right?" 

"Oh1"

"I'm learning how to "FaceTime" on my cell phone, so soon we'll be able to see each other when we talk.  I won't have to wait until I come to Chicago again to see you.  We'll talk face-to-face!  Then you'll be able to see me and hear me,  right?"

"Right."

"God doesn't need face-time!  He can do that already since He is Spirit."

"For real?" 

Yes! You see your mommy, daddy,  little brother, grandmother, granddad,  great-grandmother, and lots of other people all the time don't you?  Well, God doesn't need to be there to see and hear you. Since  He is Spirit, He can see us and hear us at all times.   We just can't see Him, but trust me, He is there and everywhere all at the same time."

"I think I understand."

"That's because you're such a smart boy! You've been really smart all your life!  Now, listen to this."

"Okay."

"God sees us, hears us, and listens to us.  He watches over us, even though we can't see Him. We can talk to Him, even though we can't see Him, because He always sees us and waits for us to talk to Him."

"But, how can that be, Auntie Dorothie?

"It's hard to explain, so right now I just need you to believe me! I'll call you again soon and we'll talk some more about this Wonderful God! Okay? Just trust Auntie Dorothie right now."

"Alright, Auntie Dorothie."

"I want you to remember the most important thing about God."

"What's that?"

"God loves you.  He loves you more than mommy, daddy, grandmother, granddad, great grandmother, Auntie Lucy, Auntie Judie, Auntie  Dawne, Uncle Bruce, and me all combined.  He loves you more than all of us, together.! Plus, He's always wherever you are because He is Spirit.  I'll call you next week and if you aren't too busy, we'll talk some more.  Okay?"

"Okay, Auntie Dorothie!"

"Wait, Sweetheart! One last thing, I promise.  I want you to repeat this prayer after me,

"Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth, as it is in heaven,"
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors,
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil, 
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
Forever, Amen" (Matthew 6: 8-13 NASB.)

"Auntie Dorothie loves you, Sweetie!" 

"I love you too, Auntie Dorothie."





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