And, while we wait, we must be mindful of those who would wish to
            
            
              ensnare us ˀ those who would deceptively lead us down a path of
            
            
              sin; those who would test us and test our faith and commitment.  We
            
            
              must be on guard against the unprincipled of the world ˀ whether
            
            
              they call themselves friends, foes or our own selves.
            
            
              We must be as solid as a rock ˀ never wavering in our faith and our
            
            
              devotion to the word and teachings of Christ ˀ that great lesson of
            
            
              love.  We must express our love toward one another ˀ husband/wife,
            
            
              mother/daughter, brother/sister, neighbor/neighbor and friend/friend.
            
            
              To love is to grow in grace ˀ the greatest love is through Christ as
            
            
              His love surrounds us, giving us the strength to call out for that grace
            
            
              when we need it most.
            
            
              P
            
            
              RAYER
            
            
              Dear God ˀ Open me to your love and your grace.  I pray that I may
            
            
              grant love and grace to myself and others in my life as freely and
            
            
              openly as you have and always will for me.   Open my eyes to those
            
            
              around me who need my love.  Grant me patience to grow in grace as
            
            
              I await the coming of God.  Amen.
            
            
              _______
            
            
              S
            
            
              HERIE
            
            
              C
            
            
              ARROLL
            
            
              P
            
            
              ARISHIONER