The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Exodus 20:12, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.

John 19:25-27, “…there were standing by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ 27 Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household.”

History tells us that “Mothers’ Day” occurs on Sunday, May 13, in the United States, and that the American version of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Anna Jarvis would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization and spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar.

All of that being said, the LORD instructed all children (and we are all children) to honor their mothers and fathers. He further promises a long life in the land that He has given. Not all children in the Bible honored their parents as they should have. Many did, however, and they set the pattern for us to do the same. But, what if parents don’t deserve being honored? Forget that! They all deserve honor, whether you think they do or not.

Parents might not have received the training that they should have when they were children. Thus, they didn’t know how to train you. Love erases all of that, if you will allow it. Just remember that they did the best they could. You

weren’t –and aren’t—all you should be, either.

While dying on the Cross, Jesus took time to think and care for His mother. “Woman, behold your Son!” Although she was suffering in her heart as she saw Him dying, she was honored that He thought and cared for her. How are you honoring your mother? She loves you and doubtlessly tells you so many times. Don’t ever be too “big” or too

“Involved” to honor your mother. You really only have one mother. Be thankful and tell her how much she means to you. There will be a day when you won’t have her. Honor that counts occurs today!

We love you and pray for you every day,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Romans 12:1-3, “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”

Okay, now I’ve got the job; what do I do? Did you ever long for a job and then wonder how to do it when once

you were hired? Christians are often like that. We turn willfully away from former things and give our hearts and

lives to Jesus. What then? How do we behave as believers? What do we do in this new life?

Paul wants us to notice first that we have been saved by the mercy of God, not by anything that we did. Our

conduct: speech, dress, mannerisms –all are to be changed. We are to live acceptably to Him. Worship is no

longer a mysterious ritual (if it ever was); it is now a daily manner of living that pleases and honors the LORD.

But, how is this possible? We’ve lived for ourselves and copied the bad manners of the world until they are

virtually automatic to us. We change by “renewing our minds.” Instead of just going with the flow and doing

what everyone else does, we THINK about what God wants from us and do that! So what, if others think we

are “strange”? We may even “feel” strange, like trying to walk in shoes that are too tight for our feet. Things

will work out in time, just like the shoes. Don’t quit trying to live the New Life! Don’t worry about those “friends”

who think you’re weird. And above all, don’t get puffed up with pride. Remember that this New Life has been

given to you; it’s not a life you created for yourself. At the same time, believe that the LORD is doing a new

work in you (remember the shoes!). Anything new takes time for adjustment. “God has allotted to (you) just

enough faith (belief, trust) for each day of your New Life. You are going to make it because He is within you

guiding and empowering you step-by-step. Never, Never give up!!

Remembering you in our daily prayers,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”