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Dear Shiloh Family,

I know most of you know this, but I have at least 4 princesses in my life - my two daughters and my two granddaughters. Recently, one of our little divas was touring her future kindergarten with her Pre-k class. As you can imagine, she left home dressed for the occasion. As a matter of fact, let me put it in the words of my daughter.

"I sent her to Pre-k in a cute little school-themed dress (with apples, pencils, etc.), cute shoes, and matching bow. It was an ordeal picking out the outfit. She had on dinky undershorts that were probably too small (hidden under the dress). Well, before they left Pre-k, they had them put on a field trip shirt. I looked at the pictures and discovered she took her dress off. She was walking around the new elementary school today in a huge t-shirt and no pants!!! There was just a t-shirt and legs."

Ok moms, can you picture it? All the other students in jeans, long pants, or leggings, but not your child. She is a walking field trip shirt in short shorts.

However, as Anita and I viewed the photos, I really couldn't focus on the attire. Nope, all I saw was the bigger-than-life princess smile. In every frame, Caroline was happy, adjusted, contented, and eager to show off her brand-new t-shirt. I'm sure she didn't realize the juvenile philosophical statement she was making, but she wasn't concerned about how an outfit would define her. She seemed to say, "Here I am, I'm Caroline Smith, and I'm just happy to be here. My parents love me just like I am, so you should too."

1 Samuel 16:7: 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." NKJV

I can't wait to see the princes and princesses Sunday as they don brilliant Spring/Easter threads. Little ballerinas will perform pirouettes, plies, kicks, and turns. Young Casanovas will strut and glide (until they tarnish their pants with grass stains during the Easter egg hunt) and tug at their bowties.

Adults will sport new duds as well. However, forgive me if I don’t comment on your clothes. Consequently, I can't wait to see faces that say, "Look at my new smile. Can you see my mended family? How do you like my regenerated soul and transformed life? Oh, yes. I'm wearing new clothes, but that doesn't matter. I have a brand-new Heavenly father who loves me just the way I am -and so should you. In fact, He is changing me into the person I should be in His eyes."

Yes, I'm looking forward to Easter, Resurrection Sunday. I'm so anticipating the newness of the Spring of life and hoping for even more.

Remember, it's not what people see on the outside that defines us. It's what God creates on the inside that really matters.

2 Corinthians 4:15-17:15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. NKJV

If judged by outward appearance, every coconut would be discarded.

God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell