The Thought for the Day is from Romans 5 v 8.
From the cradle to the grave, we all need love. How vividly this is illustrated in the song “Jesus Loves Me” by Anna B. Warner (1824-1915). She and her sister Susan were gifted novelists. Anna also published many poems. The familiar lines of “Jesus Loves Me” were penned in 1860 as a poem of comfort spoken to a dying child in one of Susan’s stories. Today it’s sung by children and adults around the world.
When a famous theologian visited a leading US seminary, a student asked him, “What is the greatest single thought that ever crossed your mind?” Expecting a profound theological answer, the class waited breathlessly for his reply. He bowed his head in thought and then slowly lifted his head and said, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
The cross of Jesus is the supreme evidence of the love of God.
This hymn has always been a favourite of mine and the message is very clear and simple. I remind myself that Jesus doesn’t just love me but that He loves everyone and that I should do the same. There are times when this can be difficult. A few months back, when I was out for my daily walk on the prom two teenage boys decided it would be fun to throw stones at me, two of which hit me (no damage was done),
My first reaction was shock then anger. I don’t very often refer to myself as elderly but I shouted at the boys and asked them if they thought it was amusing to throw stones at an elderly woman? Then I asked them if they had a grandmother or mother and asked if they would still think it was funny if someone threw stones at them?
Both boys looked a bit sheepish and hopefully in the future they might think twice about repeating their actions. I carried on walking and by the time I got back to the house I was starting to feel sorry for the boys and annoyed with myself for shouting at them. I should have asked myself what would Jesus have done? I know He wouldn’t have shouted.
The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.” (Romans 8 v 26-27)