Young people and those who are very small, please know that we have a father bigger than all. Be careful how you travel and know that you are never alone. God, our Father, gives us gifts. Unless you are open to Him, you will never know what those gifts are. Very often, it is fear, jealousy, pride, and hate that keeps us from using these gifts. God will always send someone to help you on life’s journey — in America, land of the free, and all over.

We are going into a season that is hard for me, the season of Lent. We are asked to fast, pray, and give up what we like to do the most. In the times that we are in now, many just feel like giving up. We are so busy looking down at our troubles that we have no time to look up and be thankful for everyday as God sheds His grace on thee.

I remember a young girl who was once chosen to be queen of her high school. She was from a large family and didn’t have much. She was asked by a parent of another student, “now how will you be able to afford to buy a gown for the ceremony?” Out of fear, she wanted to back out. She prayed for the courage she needed to tell the school that she could not accept the honor of queen. This had happened to her once before, as a child, when she had to back out of a school play because she did not have a nice Sunday dress. It was then that she opened her heart and let God in.

It always seems as though God sends someone to help us when we don’t know how to help ourselves. Had that parent, instead of asking that question, said to the girl, “So you won queen – congratulations. I know your mother is having a hard time, tell her if there is anything my family and I can do to help you get ready for the ceremony, please let us know.”

This is how God crowns his good with brotherhood.

Isn’t this what life is like? We are sick. We have hard times. We are afraid. Sometimes we are jealous and full of pride which leads us to hate one another.

Instead of looking down on someone, let us look up and give God the glory.

That big family prayed together. They knew that God was quiet, still, and patient. He had given them gifts that even a school could not understand.

The girl’s sister, who was a talented seamstress, made her a beautiful gown. A friend helped her with her speech. As the beautiful red roses were put in her arms, given to her by the young man that she is still married to after 51 years, to God she said thank you. All God wants is for us to say I am sorry.

This is from sea to shining sea. I know this to be true because the girl in the story was me.

To make America great again, let us follow God’s plan. A little girl turned away from a school play, made to be the queen of the whole school. This Lent remember Jesus was made to carry the cross but then led us to salvation. God is giving us an invitation. Follow Jesus so we can be a new creation. Give it to God, He knows your situation.

Alvertha Holmes

Westlake