​“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8, NASB
 
A Prayer Over Our Children
Grant my child understanding of what is to come so that she may testify of Your Word and of Jesus. Bless her, oh God, through the reading of Your prophecy so that she may take to heart what she has heard. Thank You, Jesus, for freeing my daughter from all sin through Your blood and for making her into a kingdom and priest for Your service. Open her eyes so that she may see You coming with the clouds. I pray that my little girl may know You as the Alpha and Omega, the One who was, who is, and who is to come.
 
Our God Is Stronger
 
     My eyes popped open. Panic made my breath catch. Sweat covered my entire body. I listened intently as darkness stilled the room. Only the deep breaths of my husband’s chest rising and falling met my ears. I had just woken up from a nightmare. I had woken up from a battle.

​“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”
Jude 1:20-21, NIV
 
Prayer Over Our Children
Call my child to You, oh Lord, and surround her with an abundance of Your joy and love. I pray that You will keep her from unbelief, sexual immorality, perversion, slander, and ungodliness. May she not grumble, boast, flatter, fault find, or follow evil desires. Instead, I pray that You will buildup in her a most holy faith and help her to learn to pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. Keep her in Your love, oh God, as she waits to be brought to glory. May You also help her show mercy and intercede for others. Oh Lord, keep my little one from falling but help her to stand before Your glorious presence without fault and with great joy. Amen.
 
Living Hope
 
     The day dawned like any other. The sun rose, people slumbered in their beds, and quiet tip-toed through the neighborhoods. Birds chirped their greetings and winds rustled the leaves clinging to tree branches. Young children scrambled to start their day while their parents groaned for more sleep. Today, however, was different. It was Easter Sunday!

​Communion
 
     “Do you know what communion is?” My husband leveled a gaze at Sweet Pea. My daughter’s sober brown eyes blinked with contemplation. We sat at the breakfast table with waffles staring up at us in sticky anticipation and bated breath. The topic of Good Friday service peppered our conversation. With the social distancing mandate, our church had creatively orchestrated a Good Friday online service. Even with each family sheltering in place, communion would still be observed together as the body of Christ.
     My husband and I sat waiting for Sweet Pea’s reply. Her answer was of particular importance. Sweet Pea had just asked to partake in communion.

“Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.”
III John 1:8, NASB
 
A Prayer Over Our Children
Lord, I pray that my child will be blessed with good health and that things may go well with her. May You keep her walking in Your truth while You make her faithful in love to her fellow brethren. Oh God, bless her with a spirit of hospitality so that she can work together for Your Truth. Help her, I plead, to be an imitator of what is good that she may be filled with peace and joy.
 
Separated yet Connected
 
     It was Sunday and cars dotted the parking lot. Some engines idled others were turned off. Different sizes, colors, makes, and models all lined up in rows behind the church. Within each vehicle contained a varied number of individuals ranging from old to young. Yet, regardless of the multiple variations, one thing remained constant. No one got out of their vehicles.
     Not one arm hung out of a window. Not one head poked through a sunroof. Even the exchange of words or conversation between vehicles did not occur. Windows were tightly sealed, and car doors remained firmly closed. With one vacant car space left between vehicles, social distancing was vigilantly enforced.
     On the roof of the building, stood a man. He wore a vest and was suited up with a microphone. Three