Dear Laura, Listen up. Love, God

..."We are tempted to set up permanent residence in this sad, weary world. Yet it was never designed to be lasting, and we were not designed to be fully satisfied in it. God in His goodness promised to meet our needs, and lovingly does so in such a way as not to enthrall us with that provision. Yet we still so easily become enthralled in the things of this world.

So what is the goal of the Christian life? Is it to raise smart and athletic kids? Is it to be financially prosperous? Is it to enjoy a life of friendship? All of these things, while good, are not God's best. In fact, to get to God's best, he may deny us the good. Could it be that God loves you and your kids so much that He will never allow your child to be on the varsity squad, or a valedictorian, or very popular? The goal of the Christian life is nothing less than to be totally enthralled in God, who is an all surpassing treasure of infinite worth. How desperately God wants us to be totally content in Him that he took desperate means to provide a way. What incredible love!

...We are all pressing toward something, and there is no neutrality in our relationship with God. At any one moment we are either growing in affection for Him, or affection for the world. This is what it means to be transformed: that we would be completely satisfied and joyful in nothing other than Christ Himself. My prayer is that we would increasingly consider the stuff of this world rubbish compared to gaining Christ."

~ Terry Meyer {Ella's Principal}