When you wonder if God cares

BY Max Lucado, "He Still Moves Stones" (excerpts)

WHEN YOU WONDER IF GOD CARES

My eight-year old daughter Jenna sang a solo at an appreciation
banquet. I agreed to stay home with our other two daughters if my wife
would film the performance. When they came home, they had quite a
story to tell and quite a tape to show.

Jenna forgot her lines. As she stood on stage in front of a
large audience, her mind went blank. Since Denalyn was filming the
moment, I saw the crisis through her eyes, the eyes of a mum. You can
tell Denalyn is getting nervous the minute Jenna is getting forgetful
-- the camera begins to shake. "It's OK, it's OK," Denalyn's voice
assures. She begins singing the words so Jenna will remember. But it's
too late. Jenna says, "I'm sorry" to the audience, bursts into tears,
and bolts off the stage.

At this point Mom drops the camera and runs after Jenna. The
camera records the floor and Denalyn's voice saying, "Come here,
honey."

Why did Denalyn do that? Why did she drop everything and run
after her daughter? (By the way, Jenna recovered. Denalyn dried her
tears. The two rehearsed the lyrics. And Jenna sang and received a
loud ovation.)

Now, why did Denalyn go to all that trouble? In the great scheme
of things, does a social embarrassment matter that much? You know the
answer before I tell you. To an eight-year-old girl, it's crucial.
And because it was important to Jenna, it was important to Mum.

And because you are God's child, if it's important to you, it's
important to God.

Why did Jesus change the water into wine? To impress the crowd?
No.They didn't even know he did it. To get the wedding master's
attention? No. He thought the groom was being generous. Why did Jesus
do it? What motivated his miracle?

His friends were embarrassed. What bothered them bothered him.
If it hurts the child, it hurts the father.

So go ahead. Tell God what hurts. Talk to him. He won't turn you
away. He won't think it's silly. "For our high priest is able to
understand our weaknesses. When he lived on earth, he was tempted in
every way that we are. but he did not sin. Let us, then, feel very
sure that we can come before God's throne where there is grace (Heb.
4:15-16).

Does God care about the little things in our lives? You better believe it.

If it matters to you, it matters to him.

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From: jgat777@globelines.com.ph