So much to tell, but saying so little ...as we don't want to say too much, so we say so little that it is not understood. But, the reason that we say so little, is because saying too much would probably not be understood.

Jeannie had just graduated from high school.  Her closest friend was Laura.

Jeannie:  So, Laura ...everyone acts like high school is such a huge milestone, so what do you plan to do next?

Laura: I don't really know ...and you're right, everyone acts like this is so big, but who doesn't graduate from high school?

Jeannie:  You have to literally drop out ...or get thrown out, not to graduate.

Laura:  And all the graduation speeches talk about going out into the world, making a difference, and living your dream.

Jeannie:  Yeah, how many actually live their dream?

Laura:  What is your dream, Jeannie?

Jeannie:  You of all people had to ask me that, didn't you?

Laura:  What do you mean?

Jeannie:  I don't think I should say.

Laura: Come on, we are supposed to be closest friends.  If you can't share your dreams with your closest friend, then who can you share anything with?

Jeannie:  Okay, you first.

Laura:  That's not fair ...didn't I ask first?

Jeannie:  I know, but ...

Laura:  But, what?

Jeannie:  But, it's too personal.

Laura:  Too personal for your closest friend?  How much more personal can it get ...than your best friend?  Unless you have a new closest friend.

Jeannie:  You know me better than that.

Laura:  Yes, that's why this conversation has taken such a strange twist.

Jeannie:  Okay, this is really awkward, but I'll tell you.

Laura:  I'm waiting.

Jeannie:  No, I can't.

Laura:  I don't know why not ...it's not like you dream about being a double agent for another country, or something.  I know you better than that.  It can't be a bad dream.

Jeannie:  No, it's a wonderful dream.

Laura:  But, too wonderful to tell your closest friend?

Jeannie:  No, I already told you it is too awkward ...it's just too awkward.

Laura:  It couldn't be more awkward than this conversation already is.  Just forget it ...I'll just tell you my dream first.

Jeannie: No, I said I'd tell you, and I'll tell you.

Laura:  You don't want to hear my dream?

Jeannie:  You told me to go first, and I will ...but, if you'd rather go first, go ahead.

Laura:  No, you go ahead first ...'cause I have the feeling that if I don't let you tell me now, I'll never hear about your dream.

Jeannie:  Okay, I warned you this would be awkward ...but, here it is.  My dream is to marry your brother, Tom.

Laura:  You're kidding, right?

Jeannie:  No, I know he signed up to go into the army.  He gave a beautiful graduation speech about how it was his dream to serve his country.  What a speech!  And the response he got was unbelievable ...everyone standing, and applauding.  I would never tell him my dream.  Though sharing it would likely not get in the way of his dream.  If I told him my dream, he'd probably even more want to leave the country.

Laura:  No, he has always liked you.

Jeannie: As your friend, maybe.

Laura: No, he said he liked you several years ago, before you and I even became such close friends.

Jeannie:  Why didn't you tell me that before?

Laura: You tell me ...do you think my brother is shy, or outgoing?

Jeannie:  Your brother, Tom, is undoubtedly shy ...and that is part of what I like about him.

Laura:  Well, he also doesn't have much self-esteem ...and he felt you didn't like him, and made me promise not to tell you he likes you.

Jeannie: Why did he feel I didn't like him ...that's so, I mean, I don't feel I ever acted like I didn't like him.

Laura:  No, of course you didn't ...but, I didn't mean that he felt that you didn't like him, I meant to say he never felt that you liked him.

Jeannie:  Well, I guess I can see a slight difference there, but it kind of feels like close to the same thing.

Laura:  Let me explain it to you this way ...Tom felt that you like everybody, and you are so outgoing.  Being so shy, he just felt he didn't stand a chance.  He felt you wouldn't notice him, let alone think he is that special.

Three years later ...

Tom is stationed in the Middle East.  His wife, Jeannie, is expecting their first child.  She had expected him to somehow manage to get home when she was about to deliver ...but, he had to somehow explain to her that as much as he wanted to, he was unable to.

Tom was not able to tell his wife that not only was he overseas defending his country ...he was involved in a special undercover operation that was vital to national security.  He would have liked to be able to tell her when he'd be coming home ...but, he didn't really know.

Jeannie tried to understand ...and actually, it was easier to understand because she didn't understand.   She didn't understand that others were able to make arrangements to get home under similar situations, so she just accepted the fact that he said he couldn't get home.  

But, also the fact was ...he was not in a similar situation.  His country relied much more upon him ...and he was vital to their success in thwarting those who were becoming a threat to our country.

                                         ******************************

Tom's time at home had been minimal.  Jeannie appreciated those quality moments.  He hadn't been able to see their child until he was a year old.  She wondered if Robbie understood the meaning of her repeated reference to "Daddy" ...but, she did know the loving moments the three of them shared together seemed to bring an extra smile to Robbie's face. She knew she smiled more during those times.

Tom's times away seemed to drag on for longer intervals.  But, he had always been very loyal with letter writing.  His letters were usually short, but without doubt how much he loved them. He didn't mention anything about what he was doing, but he always made it very clear how much he loved them.

This time marked their tenth wedding anniversary. Tom wouldn't be able to make it home at this time either, but he had not forgotten their anniversary.  He sent her a tin can ...which followed the traditional 'tin' protocol, but within the can was a beautiful pearl necklace.  The note said that he had dived for the pearls himself.  She knew that was a joke ...but, she knew he would have if that's what it took to get her the necklace.

What was really special, was the other gift.  It was for Robbie. He was old enough now to understand that his Dad was defending his country.  But, though he was always told his Dad loved him ...this gift sent from overseas really made the difference in convincing him how much his Dad cared ...and loved him.

I have something in my home that contains many letters.

It is called the Bible.

But, besides being able to read of how our Heavenly Father loves us ...the real defining moment was when He sent us a very special gift.

"God so loved the world, that He gave us His beloved Son."  (a variation of the verse John 3:16)

Many times I had wondered if several different church denominations were to get together to have a very simplistic discussion on choosing one Bible character to tell the world about ...who would they choose?

Many may say "God, the Father", yet, in choosing what moment they could cite as the most defining moment of expressing those feelings that give testimony of the character of God ...well, who could argue against mentioning that very moment that bridges God to humankind ...with the life of Jesus, and ultimately His death?

And if our subject is Jesus ...then following our language protocol, let's choose a verb next.  

Jesus loves.

Jesus forgives.

Jesus saves.

I believe the simplest and most important subject-verb linking would be: "Jesus saves."

But, what do we need saving from??

Well, none of us entirely obey or follow God precisely the way we should ...so, that would be what some hate to classify as 'sin'.

And since Satan (Lucifer, or the devil) also went against God, we would have that in common.  Being a righteous God, we would expect no less from God than to give us also a common place.  That would mean we would be with Satan, deserving to share the same habitation.

I certainly could not complain that I deserve better ...but, I certainly would say I'd like to have better.  So, though I don't deserve anything better, I admit that I am undeserving ...and I am overwhelmed by the possibility that I would be offered different real estate. 

Yes, if I could only be spared having to reside in the same place as Satan.  I don't know how long I have to choose ...but, I have to choose in this life.  And I don't know how long that will be.

Yes, this life is important in respect to how we choose, as that choice does not just have temporal significance. 

If I want to live with Jesus in the next life, the life which carries on for eternity, then I have to choose to live with Jesus in this earthly life.

When we say that Jesus saves ...He saves us from one place, and allows us to live with Him in another place.  So, whether we say we are saved from, or are going with ...it can be said that the way to Heaven (or the place where Jesus will be), is accessed through Jesus.

Most denominations call this 'salvation' ...and acknowledge that the death of Jesus was payment for our sins, and allows us not to be judged by our sins, but by our choice to follow the One (Jesus) who makes it possible to leave those sins behind.

In short, salvation is through Jesus.

And I believe that most church denominations agree with that ...so, let's not make it too complex.  Let's not diverge from that ...and let's let that truth build our lives.

And let's tell others about the salvation through Jesus.


Written by Mark Altrogge:

You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom?
Who can fathom the depth of Your love?
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty, enthroned above

(CHORUS)
And I stand, I stand in awe of You
I stand, I stand in awe of You
Holy God, to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of You