They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Every time I look at this photo of my granddaughters, I think of four words: Pure love & pure joy.  My daughter was fortunate to capture this moment shortly after my oldest granddaughter returned home from school one afternoon.  The younger one clearly shows her love for her big sister and the joy that she is back at home.  In return, the big sister clearly shows how much she loves her little sister.  This photo sits prominently on a shelf in our living room, is the background on my phone, my MacBook, and my work Chromebook.  I absolutely love seeing it all day long. 

Pure Love

When I need a reminder that I too am loved, I can simply open my phone, look at this photo, and think of Jesus’ love for me.  When I see this photo, I imagine HIM looking down at me with that same expression.  The feeling I have when I think of that fills me with pure joy. I hope each of you has someone that shows you this same love.  We all need to be on the receiving end of that look.   In return, we should also be showing others this same look of pure love.

This second photo has become a favorite of mine in the past year.  On my mom’s face I see pure love for that sweet first great grandchild in her arms. (This is the oldest of the girls pictured above.) At the time it was taken, I really didn’t notice Mom’s look of pure joy since the baby girl was not happy in this photo. But as time has passed since my mom’s death, I see the photo so differently.  I imagine she had that same expression on her face when she met Jesus at the conclusion of her time on earth. 

  

Pure Love & Joy

Pure Love and Pure Joy – both are clearly expressed on these sweet faces.  

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,”    1 Peter 1:8

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”  1 John 3:1

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”  1 John 3:16