Karen’s Notes
Celebrating Six Years of Sharing from this Glory-Bound Lady
Volume 6 Number 22
Posting # 266 “A Sigh! A Smile! And a Sincere Send Off!”
May 31st, 2023

Thank you for taking a moment to stop by “Karen’s Notes” today.

Here’s something that you might not know about Karen.
For a good bit of our lives, we lived relatively close to Lake Erie. When the Lord brought us to Ohio from Binghamton, one of the spots that we really enjoyed was Miller Road Park. This fourteen-acre park is located on the banks of Lake Erie. Their website describes it as a tree-lined bluff with a playground, pavilion, gazebo, and wide-open places suitable for children to run loose. We especially enjoyed the long, long fishing pier that stretched far out over the Lake. At the end of this pier, benches lined the sides.

We often would go up and watch the sunset together. Sometimes we would talk. Sometimes we would just snuggle and watch the skies that our awesome Creator was painting over the Great Lake.

One night we were especially touched with the beauty and awesomeness of our great God.
We were talking about the absolute wonder of being part of the family of the One Who was splashing the reds and yellows in the western sky. We are the parents of biological and adopted children. That caused us to be deeply thrilled to be reminded that we had been born into His family and adopted as well.

Soon after this Karen would be speaking and teaching in a ladies’ seminar. I am using a tiny part of her notes that she used that included our conversation. Using Ephesians 3:14-15 she wrote out several wonderful truths about being part of God’s family. Let me share the verse and a couple of the things that she wrote and taught.

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3:14-15).

Karen wrote: I was a lost sinner according to Romans 3:23. But Jesus saved me. What a change took place in my life. I was forgiven, sealed with the Holy Spirit, made a child of God, became joint-heirs with Christ, gained a new citizenship and even became part of a new family.
I am loved unconditionally (John 3:16).
I am forgiven immediately when I sin and confess it (1 John 1:9).
I have a home for all eternity (John 14:1-3).
I am corrected and disciplined when necessary (Hebrews 12:5-6).
This is what God wants for us! Read Ephesians 3:17-21 when you have time.

A little bit of a sigh, but also a great big smile as I send you on your way.
It is wonderful to be part of the family of God. I am a little teary-eyed as I read Karen’s handwritten notes about this precious subject. She loved teaching these truths. My great big smile comes in knowing that she really understands personally the joy of being in the Lord’s family today! She sees face-to-face what we still accept, believe, and embrace by faith. We need to take a few seconds to thank the Lord again for His abundant blessings.