"Take the time to say I love you"
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Christian Encouragement October 3, 2000
<b>Hi friends!</b>
<b>I've been sitting here at the computer for probably well over an hour trying to think
of just what I would like to send as an encouragement to everyone. My son Sean came in and
wanted to talk. I love our conversations together. Anyone who has kids knows that great
feeling you get when your kids actually want to talk to YOU. Out of all 3 of my children,
Sean is the one who wants me to know all about his day. What he's thinking. How he feels
about things. Good or bad. The questions he has about life. Heaven. Since he was little,
he's always enjoyed hearing about Heaven. Can they see us from there? Can they hear us
talking? Do they ever talk about us? Do you think, Mom, that my name has ever been said in
Heaven? Yeah. You bet! Gosh, to think that God knew me before He ever made the galaxies!
Yes, Sean, He already knew you. Sean smiles and has this look on his face like,
"WOW".......</b>
<b>Then we begin to talk about our love for older people. There is an older gentleman in
our church by the name of Bro. Schuh whom Sean loves. He will sit and listen as long as
Bro. Schuh talks. Sean laughs with him, asks him questions and loves to hear his old
stories of growing up. I'm glad, for this is a gift from God.</b>
<b>Then Sean asked me if any of his grandpa's (both of whom are deceased) ever said
something nice about him to me. Of course they did, I assure him. Well like what? I began
to explain some of the sweet things that had been said over the years, mostly the
reassuring things as Sean was a real handful when he was younger. He was pleased with the
information then began to tell me that there are so many people in this world who think
they are worthless nobodies. He has a buddy who is like this. Whose parents scream and
swear at him all the time. Sean says he's glad his dad and I aren't like this even though
I have been known to yell on occasion. This made me think. We have to tell all the people
we love and care about, young, old, parents, our kids, and friends how much they mean to
us. We must never leave them to wonder how we feel about them. And tell them all the
little things we find so special about them. You know, the Lord has spent a great deal of
time telling and showing us how special we are to Him. In Galatians 5, it tells us to be
imitators of God. Then it only stands to reason we must follow in the Lord's footsteps.
How awful it would be if God had written His word, but neglected to tell us how much He
loves us. We would spend our lifetimes wondering..... Thank you Lord for always telling
me. Thank you for Ryan, Sean and Laura. Thank you for my husband, my mom and dad, my
grandparents, my brothers. Also a special thank you for Mark and Gail Simmons, Bro. Todd,
Sis. Mary Schuh (whom I adore), Dick and Vera Bevis, for Bro. Dick Vlot's beautiful smile
and attitude, old and dear friends in the faith all over the state and the country that we
have had the privilege of knowing here on this earth. I'm thankful it doesn't stop here.
And just think, it'll only get better!</b>
<b>"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the
children of God. And that is what we are"! I John 3:1</b>
<b>"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us
encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25</b>
<b>Be encouraged to say, "I love YOU" and say it frequently.</b>
<b>We love you,</b>
Deb & Russ Parman
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