Sharing the Sweetness of Gathering Together

As parents of adult children, my wife and I cherish any time we are all together as a family. Though none of our kids are married yet, they still lead busy lives. Consequently, getting the fam in one place simultaneously becomes more complicated every year..

As a result, these remaining Thanksgiving days are very precious to us. Precious in a way that our kids won’t realize until their kids have flown the nest. Until they experience the thankfulness of nurturing self-sufficient kids and the loss that comes with nurturing self-sufficient kids. But for now, ‘tis so sweet when we’re all together.

While reflecting on this, the words of the Apostle Paul came to mind,

“ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” *

I know people that skip attending church because “you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.” True, but if God is our Heavenly Father, I believe He experiences the same joy we feel as parents when all His “kids” get together with Him in church.  My wife and I love being with our son, or our other son, or our daughter, but when we’re all together, as the late Jackie Gleason would say, “how sweet it is.”

So, this Sunday, why not give your Heavenly Father an early Christmas gift—the joy of having all of His kids together—gathering with Him. Call a parent, son or daughter, a friend, or coworker and ask to go to church with them this Sunday. You’ll not only make their whole year, you will put a smile on the face of the Creator of the universe too!

Have a wonderful thanks-giving day!

* Hebrews 10:24-25, New Living Translation