We Gather Together

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine

We gather together, A hymn

We Gather Together. November 27, 2024.

My husband and I often talk about how fast time goes these days. With the passing of both my in-laws in the last three years has come an increased awareness of our own mortality. Friends our age are starting to have serious health issues which adds to the sense of diminishing hours. The kids are grown and gone leaving an emptiness after so many full years. Gone is the youthful bliss of unlimited time. Our newly heightened sense of reality knows the clock cannot be rewound. All of which bring us to a realization that each day truly is a gift from the Lord. Along with this has been a deepening of our desire to make our days count. How are we spending our time? How are we spending our time with others? Does it glorify God and further His kingdom? These are questions that swirl around in our heads daily now.

When We Gather…

Because we love our big sprawling family greatly, we strive to bring our best to the table. This is a lofty effort of course because like everyone else, we are prone to the pitfalls of normal human relationships. So, the end results are not perfect and sometimes we fail. However, we continue on because we very much believe that charity begins at home. And if we aren’t modeling God’s faithfulness at home, how can we expect to make a difference in the world outside. We make it a priority in our lives that affects many decisions. This isn’t always easy with the various personalities, but we never know how much time we have. As we stood in front of the two parents who lost their 22-year-old son to a sudden vicious cancer two years ago we are reminded all over again that there are no guarantees how much time any of us have. Have we committed our hearts to the Lord in all our ways? This is a question that stays with me each day, every hour.

While I know my salvation is secure in the Lord there is the daily battle with various sins that like to taunt and prick. This is particularly true in my relationships and has forced me to look at my own heart and do much repenting of attitudes and perceived offenses as well as real ones. Have personal disagreements caused me to be less than I should? Many relationship challenges are normal and necessary to grow the relationship. Having those challenges are what give strength and endurance to a relationship. And in the end, it isn’t me that matters; it is the Lord.

So, we choose to bring Him to the holiday table this year amongst all who gather and pray with us. We pray that we glorify Him as we interact with our loved ones. And by His grace He can soften our hearts and enable us to extend the grace He freely gives us.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

We gather together