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         (Dad:) Jesus sees your heart. He understands that you want to love Him and please Him, and that you want to love others, be faithful, and obey His Words, and He's very happy about that. He's so pleased with your desire to love and serve Him and others, to do something for Him and to make a difference! And you are, and you will!
         But don't expect so much of yourself all at once, because the Lord just takes us a step at a time. He understands that you can't do everything at once, and He takes each of us where we're at. He wants to make it easy for you and just lead you gently along, one step at a time.
         So don't worry that you can't reach or attain a certain thing right at this moment. Just take whatever steps you can take right now and be faithful in that. Then when you're ready, you can take another step and learn how to be faithful with that. And then another one, and then another one.
         Don't let the Enemy scare you into thinking you have to take this big giant step that you feel you can't possibly take! Jesus just wants to lead you gently and lovingly along, a step at a time. With each step, He's so happy and proud of you for all that you are willing to do, the steps you are taking, and the progress you are making. He looks at all the steps you have already taken. He looks at your heart and your desire to love and please Him, and how you're trying your very best for Him and you don't want to fail Him. He loves you so much for that!
         So don't let the Enemy condemn you. Don't make such high demands of yourself that you can't yet reach. Just take Jesus' hand, and take one step at a time. Take one step and try that. And when you're comfortable with that, take another step, and then another. Does that help you not to worry?--To know that Jesus isn't expecting so very much of you that you can't do? He loves you just as you are, and He's so very pleased with the progress you've made. So keep it up! Don't let the ol' Devil discourage you or make you worry that you can't do it.
         Jesus is so thankful and proud of you for trying to be faithful and to love others and to do the right thing. Even if you don't always succeed, don't worry! We humans often fail to do all that we'd like to do, and be the way we'd like to be, and the way we know the Lord wants us to be. But don't get discouraged--just keep trying! Most of all, keep asking Jesus for His love and His help.



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