Letters to My Young Readers

MARGO VAN GARDEREN — Did you have a good time with your oma and opa, Margo? I remember how special it was when my grandparents would come for a visit. When your grandparents live far away, you look forward to seeing them and being with them, right? Think of the parable of the prodigal son in the Bible. That father had not seen his own son in a very long time, and he looked eagerly for his return. The prodigal son “came to himself” and started back to his father. Do you know that each one of us needs to be stopped and turned around like this, because we run away from God?

AMBER MOENS — What a cute stuffed puppy you bought, Amber. It sounds like an unusual dog breed. Is school going well? Which grade are you in now? What do you think is the most important thing we need to be taught in this life? You can read of it in Psalter 338 where it says, “Teach me that I may live.” Ask the Lord to give you that life, because by nature our hearts are dead.

AMANDA HERPST — The weather is different in every place, isn’t it, Amanda? While you were wondering if it would ever be hot, we were having a long heat wave, and when you wrote me that you were experiencing the heat of summer, our heat wave had changed to a few cloudy days. It is good that it is not always the same, because we need sun and rain, don’t we? Sometimes we worry about the weather; then, when the Lord sends a plentiful rain to make the crops grow or a cool breeze to refresh us, we should be thankful.

TIAN BOER — Grade eight brings along with it its own excitement since it is a graduating year, right, Tian? Is everything going well in school? I hope you will be given the ability to do your work and that you will try to be diligent. Remember to bow your knees each morning and ask for help, also if you have a difficult subject or a big test facing you.

ARNO BOER — How did you like Vancouver Island, Arno? I have heard it is a very interesting place to visit. I hope the rest of your summer went well. Did you mind going back to school? The days pass quickly, and each day cannot be repeated or done over again. That is why it is important not to waste precious time. Seek the Lord early!

MADELEINE KANIS — It could be wrong to be proud of someone else if you idolize that person or honor him instead of honoring God, Madeleine, but it is not wrong to appreciate someone, and it is alright to think highly of another person. “Worldly” can be a difficult word to understand, can’t it? Some people think it means using modern things such as cars and electricity, but if we look at what the word “world” often means in the Bible, then we have to say that the world lives in each of our hearts. How important it is to ask the Lord to give us a heart that loves Him instead of the world! I’m glad you never skip your devotions even when it has been busy moving. I hope you’ve settled in and are enjoying the new house.

RANETTA DEWILDE — Thanks for your note, Ranetta. I liked reading about you and the place you live. I’m sure it is enjoyable living on a farm. No, I don’t live on a farm. We live in a town. We have a dog, rabbit, and parakeet. I think of topics as I go along; sometimes the topics come from something I’ve read or a place I’ve been. Doing puzzles on animals might be a good idea, Ranetta. Thank you; I will have to think about it. God made many beautiful animals. Do you have a favorite animal?

JANNETTE SCHIPPER — Yes, I do live in the United States, Jannette, but I lived in Canada for four years when I was a little girl. I like to visit with family on a special day like the fourth of July or Canada Day. It sounds like you had a pleasant day, as well. You and I live in different countries, but in both countries we are still allowed to read the Bible. I read a story to our children recently in which soldiers came to a village to search for a forbidden Bible, and in a store recently I saw a sign posted by a display of Bibles which said, “This Book has been banned in fifty-four countries and is on the brink of being banned in eighteen more.” Don’t you think we are blessed to have Bibles in our homes? Read yours often, okay?

SARA SCHIPPER — It’s good to hear from you, Sara. I’m doing pretty well, thank you. There isn’t any fruit that tastes better than watermelon on a hot summer day, is there? It’s juicy and sweet, and I’m sure that everyone in the “no hands” contest must have been very sticky. I hope the rest of your summer went well. Do your best in the new school year, okay?

MARILYN & HENRIETTE HEGER — Congratulations on being aunties, girls! How is Jayden doing? I’m sure you love to hold and cuddle him. I’m very glad that the tree branch that came down in the storm did not hit the bedroom window. Often we are spared by the Lord from harm coming to us in some way, aren’t we? We should ask the Lord every day to keep us safe. We also need a safety for our hearts. In Proverbs 18 it says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

Love,
Aunt LenaBeth

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