More than two weeks later, Lauren still wears the evidence on her nose of a nasty meeting with concrete.

We were celebrating the end of Jackson’s soccer season at McDonalds. As we all gathered in the outside eating area, my kids clamored for their Happy Meals, hungry but wanting to play with their friends, too. From across the table, I watched as Jackson and Lauren jockeyed for position on the same bench, and then in slow motion as Lauren slipped head-first toward the concrete ground below.

I managed to reach her a second too late, as she lay on the ground sobbing and bleeding. I scooped her up in my arms, held her close as Matt tried to clean her wounds and did the only thing I know that will calm her down during intense situations.

I started singing “Jesus Loves Me.”

I sang it again and again, over and over for the next half an hour until she had calmed down completely.

More than any “comfort” item, Lauren wants her special song, when she is scared, when she is tired, when she is sick or when she is hurt. I have sung her “Jesus Loves Me” what seems like thousands of times, and to her it never grows old, only more dear.

Jesus’ love is like that. There is nothing better to soothe a troubled soul or comfort a wounded heart. His love is for all occasions and for the just because. He will never turn us away when we come to Him and crawl up in His lap to hold us close and sing his love over us. He will run and scoop us up when we fall. His love sustains us through the unthinkable and pushes us to soar higher as we pursue His plan and purpose.

God’s love never grows old, only more dear.

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.