Luke 18:29-30
Jesus answered, "You can be sure that anyone who gives up home or wife or brothers or family or children because of God's kingdom will be given much more in this life. And in the future world they will have eternal life."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As the holidays approach, I have found myself sitting at a recent church service – and then again at a high school basketball game – looking around at the people who were there. Many of them are friends of mine… or certainly acquaintances… and I began to think about these people. This one just lost his father… that child’s family has just been turned upside down by divorce… that person’s parent is in the nursing home… another couple is expecting a new baby any day… two lovebirds are about to tie the knot… this young person is dealing with the desertion of a parent… another just lost his job and his car stopped running… this child just went to a foster home. While some of these people are experiencing joyful occasions, many others are not. And as our pastor said recently, “There is a heartache on every pew.”
I thought of the first Thanksgiving without my father-in-law. The whole family went to Branson for the weekend to “celebrate” a little differently. I thought back to a time a little more than a decade ago when my husband and I hosted Thanksgiving dinner at our house. We had buried a beloved cousin on November 1st, so his family was in attendance without him. My own parents were absent, because my dad had just suffered renal failure and was in a Little Rock hospital beginning dialysis. My mother ate her Thanksgiving dinner alone in the hospital cafeteria. But my parents insisted we proceed with our celebration, and that those of us who were able spend the day together as a family. And we did.
The holidays are a stressful time for so many. Family and friends are important, and holidays are the time to celebrate with them! But when I think of this scripture, I think about what Jesus is saying... our family is important, but He is even more so. Family members will not always be with us on this earth, but Jesus will. Family dynamics will change on any given day… human relationships are fickle and fluid at best. But Jesus is forever… and focusing on Him leads to blessings and the assurance of Eternal Life.
If you are fortunate enough in the next few days to get to spend some time with family members and friends, enjoy that time. Should you find that your circumstances separate you from others, take heart. If you have truly surrendered your “earthly life” for God’s kingdom, you will be surrounded by His love and blessings, and you will be in His presence. And that is truly something to celebrate.
Turkey legs come and go… but Jesus is forever. Remember to thank Him for the amazing gift of salvation, and the “side dishes” of grace and mercy… none of which we deserve, yet He gives them to us freely. Spend some time at the table of your Heavenly Father this weekend, and fellowship with Him. If a few earthly relatives happen to be seated with you, share with them how God has blessed you. Praise God for the opportunity to serve Him and His kingdom… and thank Him for making you part of His family.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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