Juliet's World

Matthew 11:29-30 (The Message)
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. [30] Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Juliet's world is growing all the time. She came to New Hope with her mom, her brother Romeo, and little sister Celeste and immediately brightened our days. Her mom's a single mother, who does a great job teaching her kids how to grow up into wonderful adults. They are kind, respectful, and a blessing to be around. I've watched her as she "mothers" them. It explained a lot to me of how the kids are. She's kind, she's loving, and when she corrects them, it's in a way that though firm, never ever gives a hint of anything but their best at her heart.

That kind of love has produced a bright, loving young girl name Juliet who's a joy to be around. So what could be better than that?

Having her around forever!

Just recently, Juliet trusted Christ as Savior. She'll be baptized Sunday afternoon. And she's already showing the marks of a true disciple - reading her Bible, and thanking others who helped her along the journey's first steps.

As the kids come here, we love them and try to show them Who loves us all best - Jesus. We try to be good examples of His disciples, and try to lead the kids to understand just Who God is and just how much He loves them.

There's no timetable for them to become believers, just a group of people who love and pray for them to one day realize Christ's loving gift. Some take a while to grasp His outstretched hands. Others, like Juliet, begin to ask questions, and with an open heart and mind, find that in Christ, all things become new. They walk from their mother's or father's arms, into the arms of Jesus Christ.

That's Juliet's world.

It's as beautiful as a young girl's smile. As free as those "unforced rhythms of grace". And forever and ever, it's a world filled with the unchanging love of God.

It's no guilt trip, and there's nothing heavy about it - just the opposite - it's pure freedom to walk along the journey with Christ.

Is that where you are? There's room for a lot more people in Juliet's world.

Come and see..

Grace!

David Wilson

This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.