Remember those little heart-shaped candies with tiny words printed on them? Things like

Sweet, or Cutie Pie, or Love You, or Be Mine? Those little heart-shaped candies are still available, still

sugary, crunchy, and a fun treat for little ones without going over the top!

This is how we talk to our family sweetie-pies in the baby, toddler or pre-school generation: lots

of gentle loving words to help them grow into confident, loving big kids and grown-ups. Sadly, some

gown-ups have forgotten how to communicate this way to little ones, but maybe they had no example

to follow, themselves.

Imagine that this is how God talks to us at the beginning of a relationship – you gotta start

somewhere, right? We don’t start with the hammer and the discipline and the do’s and don’ts at the

start of our relationships, now do we? We would never get anywhere that way! In the Bible God is

presented as a hen who gathers her chicks under her wings (Jesus said this too), or as a shepherd who

watches carefully over the little lambs. In one set of verses God was depicted as a mother, nestling her

baby to nurse at her breast – as close and loving as can be.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love, Sweetie Pie” says God – okay, maybe God left off that

last bit, but pretty sure that it was inferred! Or this: “I will never leave you or forsake you” which is great

to know in times of uncertain human relationships. That said, as we grow up, more is required of human

and godly relationships than just sweet talk. Mature people must deal with hard things, sometimes

requiring tough love.

But adults still need to be loved and wanted, so don’t neglect the “love you’s” or “sweetie-

pie’s”, just as Jesus still wants all of us to “Be Mine”. As the old song goes: “Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is

calling; calling for you and for me (you little cutie!)”.

Everyone is welcome at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church: Sunday service at 10 a.m. and coffee hour

afterwards. Soup Lunch Thursdays at 11:00.