Family

This morning I had a sweet time with the Lord.

For a brief weekend, some old friends and new friends of mine stayed at my house. I had asked the Lord before their trip that the visit would be one of encouragement and refreshment for both parties. I can say that, at least from my part, it was.

This morning I woke up early to see them off. I intended to going to back to bed once they left, but the house was so quiet, I couldn't resist an opportunity. I had put a kettle on for some hot water and made a cup of wild orange tea. Then, in the stillness of the early morning, the sky still mostly dark, I sat in our living room and journaled. And read my Bible. And thought. And prayed.

I've had the privilege of meeting believers from various parts of the U.S. as well as some in Ireland. Some of those people I may never see again on this earth. Still, they have a special place in my heart. Yet as I reflected this morning, I was thankful at the kindness of our God, who adopts us into His family. And while we may be spread out over the ends of the earth for a while, one day, we will all be together. I love the family of God. Like any family, we have our struggles. But there is no other family I would want to have. When I think of the things that bond people together, I know that there is nothing stronger than knowing that we are saved by Jesus and have a destiny to live for and with Him.

Life is busy. Days can be long. I get caught up in to-do-lists as much or more than the next person, stressing over all that "needs" to be done. But today, for a moment, my heart was stilled. I recently learned the definition of 'peace' as it is used in Galatians 5. It means, 'To set at one again.'
We worship a kind Lord. He sets our hearts at one again. We are whole in Him. And in each other. Our Family, where Christ is Head.