We have adopted the practice of inviting members of all ages to provide the images for the front of our bulletin.

Violet knelt down by the coffee table excited to create her picture.

“Our story this week is of a boy who goes far from home and how his father misses him. When he finally comes home the father is so glad he throws a party!”

Violet asks, “I’ll draw the home then.”

Home drawn she looks at me and asks, “Does it have to be a boy? Can it be a girl?”

“Absolutely, it could be a girl.”

Pause.

Violet tentatively, “What color do they have to be?”

“You get to decide that, Violet.”

Pleased she reaches for a dark crayon.

Pleased with how the image is coming along so far, she asks, “Can I add a mommy?”

“Absolutely.”

So mother added and then bevy of beating hearts and the cover was ready.

Violet knew that God’s story always has space for her in it.

She made sure we knew too!

About Philip Ruge-Jones

After I served for eighteen years as a professor of theology at Texas Lutheran University, my family decided to return to the Midwest where my wife and I grew up, attended college and seminary. Read more...