Jesus Loves Me

Let the children come to me …

Mark 10:14b CSB

My earliest church memory is when I was about four years old at my grandparents’ country church. Papa was preaching the sermon as a substitute for the main pastor.

I don’t remember a thing from Papa’s sermon. I did what most preschoolers did back then — doodled on the offering envelope and dug through Granny’s purse for candy.

But when the invitation hymn began, something in me flipped like a light switch.  At last, I could break my silence. So, I scrambled onto the back pew — trying to stand as tall as the grown-ups.

I couldn’t read a hymnal, so I belted out the only song I knew— loud and off-key: Jesus Loves Me.

Years later, I can see how Jesus loved me in the moment.

Jesus loved me through my family that night. My mom and Granny sat on each side of me while Papa preached.

Jesus loved me through the church. No one tried to hush me. Not my mom. Not my Granny. Not any of the adults. I’m pretty sure I remember people coming up to my mom and me after with compliments.

Fast forward to today: my mom sits with me and my husband each Sunday. Our sons are in college attending churches in different cities.  But generation to generation, we keep coming to Jesus.

Lord, thank you for faith through the generations. Help us to continue to pass on your love to those we meet — and to every child who climbs a pew to sing your praise.

Stacy Graves