When I was a little girl, I had a lot of trouble with the concept of God.  I did see him a benevolent (good) and loving.  But I did not read the stories about Jesus except at Christmas.  So, I was kind of lost in my Christian education.

I hated Easter.  The story of Jesus dying on the cross was just too gruesome.  I know it really happened – people really died by crucifixion in Roman days.  I guess I just didn’t know enough about the part after the nativity but before the crucifixion to give it much thought.  One Christmas, I REALLY tried to focus it all on Jesus.  I had the worst Christmas of my entire life.

God, the Father – He was different.  I was not too keen on Him, to be honest.  He took people away (my Grandfather died when I was about nine) and I was rather angry at God for that.  My other Grandpa died when I was about thirteen, so that just made my anger worse.

But Grandma insisted that I learn this prayer – the Lord’s Prayer.  It’s all about God, the Father.  Now, it is my favorite Christian prayer.  Not that I say it very often.  I’m so busy with Hebrew, as you know.

And as for me and God – we are constant “companions” now.  He is “my Rock and my Redeemer.” I pray to him daily that you are both safe and well.

Please learn this prayer – if you haven’t already.  It’s very important to Grandma and I that you know it by heart.  This is not the melody you probably hear in church.  But I like it!