For kids August 28, 2017 Issue

How big is God’s love?

Jutta Hudson

When William goes to visit his grandma, Omi, they take a train journey together. Omi travels to the station of William’s hometown, where William and his dad meet her. Together, William and Omi board the train that takes them to the city where Omi lives. William usually has a picnic on the train. Sometimes he and Omi play a guessing game called “I spy with my little eyes.” William loves train journeys, and he and Omi always have fun.

Once when Omi met William at the station, he wasn’t his usual happy self. He slept throughout the train journey, cradled in her arms. When they arrived at her house, he wanted to go straight to bed. Omi prayed for him, and the next day William put on a brave face, and together they walked to the nearby park, where he tried the swings and the slide. But it wasn’t as much fun as usual.

Back at home after the park, William still didn’t feel well, and as Omi prayed she had an idea. She fetched one of his favorite books and started reading it to him. The book is called Guess How Much I Love You and is a story about Little and Big Nutbrown Hare. At bedtime, Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare tell of their love for each other. On the last page, Little Nutbrown Hare sleepily says that he loves Big Nutbrown Hare “right up to the moon.” Big Nutbrown Hare draws close to him and whispers, “I love you right up to the moon and back.”

Send a comment to the editors