A memory that popped up on social media today included pictures of our daughter, her husband and their daughter shortly after our granddaughter was born.

She is now 5 years old. I look at a picture of the two young parents looking at their newborn and can sense the wonder, love and awe in their gaze. I recognize that feeling.

I’ve had many times where I have ached with a father’s love as our kids have grown up through various stages of life.

All the moments of accomplishments and transitions, whether first steps or marriage, punctuate our timeline with some of that same joy. I hadn’t experienced it quite as strongly since that daughter was a baby, however, until I saw her holding her own daughter.

I have to wonder if God himself might have some of those same feelings looking at his children, like you, especially in the most beautiful of moments.

But then, I also am reminded of the suffering that is so very real and present in our world. Every time I watch the news there are stories of families being devastated by bombing or other violence, by hunger, or some other crisis. I imagine the photos of the wonderful moments of life in those families. I also imagine that since God has an even deeper love for those folks than I do for my family, how God’s heart must break for their suffering when their beautiful, love-filled lives have been torn apart.

Obviously, God’s perspective is much bigger than ours. In light of eternity, these sufferings are momentary.

And yet, the suffering is very real. Thankfully, our faith tells us this is not all there is and God is ultimately going to make things right. Without this hope, I don’t know how life would be bearable in the darkest of times.

And yet, the Bible emphasizes throughout it the importance of creating as good a world here and now as we can. The law gave guidance for creating a just society where all people can flourish.

The prophets forcefully and repeatedly reminded of God’s concern for how we care for the most vulnerable such as widows, orphans and immigrants.

Jesus came and raised the bar even higher. Not only did he teach love of neighbor, but he said to love our enemies.

Was he really serious about that? He died demonstrating it.

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven, I think he knew that when we get serious about that prayer, it will lead us to do our part — however big or small that may be — to create a world where families can live together in peace, providing for their needs, and enjoying those moments of wonder, love and awe that come with the gifts God gives.

Jeff Fugitt is the pastor of Cassville United Methodist Church, located at 601 Gravel Street in Cassville. He may be reached at 417-847-2328 or cassvilleumcpastor@gmail.com.