Dear friends of the word! “Did you know?” – I heard at the phone – “they were having a child for more than ten years ago. It came out that the child would have a Down-Syndrom very early at the pregnancy. From the beginning on it was clear to the parents that they wanted the baby. Both of them were having a job – in a poor country of our world, living in Bosnia. The mother quit her job – for the child. So it was clear that they would have a poor life. The doctors gave the child only a few years to live. But now it turns already 15 years old! The love of the parents had let their child staying alive. Now it is really sick. And I visited this family! The mother had given so much throu the years, just to be there for the child. She gave everything, just like Jesus did and tought us. And her soul I didn’t feel any grief or bitternes – but a deep joy and even deeper love.”

July 2009

Jesus promises us is what everybody is looking for: a real deep joy. But this joy, that is from the heart of Jesus and that the world cannot give us, doesn’t have much to do with the short moments of happiness about a purchase or any successfull action. No, this joy that Jesus means is a joy that fullfills our heart when we are completely empty from ourselves, ready to give ourselves each moment to our brothers and sisters. In these moments, when we let ourselves fall completely into the happiness, Jesus takes the space our our hearts very silently and lets us be a part at His life with the father.

Dear friends of the word, seldom we are forced to make a decision that takes influence to our lives. But we can give our lives every day so many times. I hear about a need of one of our friends....and I’ll take it and make it to one of my own and help! – I am asked to have time for a moment ...I’ll say yes! – Somebody is sick in my family...I’ll stay completely with him or her. – One of my schoolmates has become very failingly...I’ll stay with him and let maybe beeing other things second row.

Everytimes when we are able to give ourselves completely – and often it is very difficult and even hurts because it strikes out our plans – we are taking part at the devotion of Jesus life and are witnesses of His love that even knew other borders. Let us go only a few moments this month of July in which we don’t give everything and don’t live completely. Let us give our lives COMPLETELY and even at the small moments and let us be fullfilled with joy that the world cannot give us.

For the OnWordTeam                                   Meinolf Wacker