Mews from Meowmix

What a wonderful thing it is………….God’s family, isn’t it?

Tonight was special and heartwarming in several ways.  At church, we walked into the auditorium expecting to see the usual faces (which is not a bad thing!).    But two people stood off to the side and, as I got closer to them, I realized they looked familiar.  Doris had already started down the aisle to our seat, and I had to call her back.  The two visitors were long-time family friends, Janet and Paul.  They are missionaries in Cameroun and have been ever since they married some 25 + years ago.  We knew Janet and all of her family, in another congregation, long before she married Paul!  What an unexpected surprise and rush of warm fuzzies!  Hugs and kisses ensued, and then they followed us down to our seats and sat with us.  It felt great to have family (really, they are!) with us so that we filled up one of the short pews.  The song service was extra-special because we could share it with Janet’s great alto and Paul’s wonderful bass!

Then we had a guest speaker who is a missionary our congregation supports in Ghana.  He gave a report and asked for extra monetary assistance for a building they are trying to finish.  He spoke in very broken English, but I understood enough to know he is very committed, and the need is very great……….one of the needs being the ability to educate the youngsters in their area.  (As always during this type of presentation, I sat there wishing I had the resources to just write him a check for the total amount he needs so he can be on a plane back to Ghana in the morning!)

At the end of the service, our regular visiting song leader announced we would sing in closing “God’s Family.”  He made some comments about just how far and wide God’s family actually spreads……to Ghana and beyond.  It was very touching, especially in being able to share not only with our regular brothers and sisters at Berclair but with Paul and Janet, as well.

As an aside, I am not always able to sing all the verses of this song.  It tugs at the heart strings, yes, but it can also be sad in spite of the loving thoughts it evokes.

That’s why when the service was over, I knew why Bro. R wasn’t in the seat behind us anymore.  Another aspect of family.  Bro. R’s wife recently passed away after a 3 or 4-year battle with cancer.  They had been married for 59 years and obviously still very much in love.  “God’s Family” was her favorite song and, on the occasions she was able to be with him in worship services in recent years, most of the time that song would be sung our of consideration for her.  It was also used at her funeral service.

As soon as the song was announced, my heart went out to him sitting behind us, knowing how poignant it was going to be for him.  I know this because songs affect me, and many of us, the same way.  When I turned around as soon as “Amen” had been invoked, he was gone………..and I understood why.  As I said, another aspect of family…………knowing a brother or sister this well.

Three warm, touching evidences of God’s family tonight. I wanted to share them with you, also part of my family in the Lord.

TODAY’S SMILES:

1. Nice temperatures again.
2. The third zinnia is blooming!  Yay………..but I’ve never claimed to be a gardener; that’s why I’m tickled as they bloom one by one.
3. Anticipation of hearing about Greg and Jan’s cruise.
4. Paul and Janet.
5. A little girl at the PS who reminded me of Hailey.
6. Josh N. was to leave today to begin his freshman year at David Lipscomb.  SO proud of him……….
7. A big beautiful moon!

As Cecil would say, “See you tomorrow night, family!”  May God’s richest blessings be yours.