I started back to work this week and I am doing pretty well.  I have not had any aches or pains and I have not had any pain meds at all for almost two weeks!  I am only working half days this week, so it has not been too tiring.  I have been going in early and coming home for lunch.  I have been taking a nap when I get home because I have been a little tired.  Next week I will start back on full days.  I think that I will be ready for it.

This weekend was a good weekend and I had a great time at church.  It is so good to be back and fully involved in teaching and preaching again.  This weekend we had a couple of new babies in the worship service.  The service had already started and I heard some baby make some little noise like babies do.  I don’t mind having babies in the service – they help keep some people awake.  I said to myself, “That sounded like Avery my granddaughter,” but I thought it was possible it could be one of the new babies.  My daughter and son-in-law live a pretty good distance from our church so they have been attending one that is only a couple of miles away from their home.  I am okay with that – just as long as they are going.  The bible says we are not to forsake the “assembling of ourselves” with our Christian brothers and sisters.  They still come and see us every now and then with our granddaughter – which my wife and I enjoy immensely.

Anyway, a little while later, I heard another sound – just a little ‘hmmm’ kind of noise – the kind babies make when they don’t have a word for something but they want your attention.  I heard that sound and I said to myself, “That has got to be Avery” because I recognized her voice.  I could not turn around in the front pew because of my back brace.  Later, when I got up to preach I saw her near the back with my daughter and son-in-law; I knew it!  When I began to preach, Avery heard my voice and she turned her head to the front and started pointing at me.  She recognized my voice just like I recognized hers!

It is wonderful how all of our voices are slightly different and have their own octaves and pitches and sounds which are unique.  It is wonderful how we can recognize them and associate them with the different people we know.  Some voices can send shivers up our spine like a gruff boss screaming for that report that we know is overdue.  Others can motivate and encourage us and inspire us to new heights.  And some can make us smile and bring a warmth to our soul just by making a little sing song noise as they point to us out of recognition from where they sit in the back of the church.  No voice, however can bless us more than the voice of the Lord’s.  Jesus said in John 10:27-28

John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.”

What a blessing to hear, to recognize and to respond to the voice of the Lord.  What a blessing to follow Him and to receive eternal life, life everlasting which can never be taken from us!  Oh my goodness, we serve an awesome and wonderful Lord!  I hope that you have heard and responded to His voice and to His offer of forgiveness and mercy and love!  I hope that you have spent time in His presence this week!  I hope you have experienced His Grace this week for there is no voice that brings comfort and warmth like the voice of the Lord.

 If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com