The Gift of Love and Family

Yesterday was my birthday. I received many birthday wishes through social media, and a couple of text messages. it does make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, in a virtual sort of way. But let me tell you about the greatest gift I received. One that will be a lasting memory.

I'm in the middle of a trip back to my hometown on Long Island. It is the first time in over 10 years that the entire family has been able to go. One of the people I wanted to see in the worst way was my Uncle Alan. He is my mom's only sibling. I lost my mom to lupus back in 1993, and have such great memories of spending time with her side of the family, including my uncle. So I made every effort to see if he was going to be around during this week. It so happens that the only day he and my Aunt Pat could get together was Tuesday July 12th. Honestly, I really didn't put it all together that it was my birthday. Packed the family up, met my brother and his family, and off we went for the hour drive out to beautiful Mattituck, on Long Island's North Fork.

The entire time was filled with love. Catching up on each others lives. Great laughs at watching the kids play in the pool. Having my cousin stop by who I haven't seen in over 15 years. Reliving the fun times we had in the past. Remembering my mom. It was just about being together as a family. I could not have asked for a better birthday. Love was the center of it all...

GOD was the center of it all. This verse came to mind-

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

Take the time with family. Let love be the center of it all. Let God be the center of it all.

That gift of love yesterday was truly the best birthday present I could ever receive.

Pondering

When was the last time you ponderered something? The dictionary defines the word this way:


–verb (used without object)
1.
to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate (often followed by over or upon ). -or-


–verb (used with object)
2.
to weigh carefully in the mind; consider thoughtfully: He pondered his next words thoroughly.


In the culture we live in speed is highly valued- multi-tasking is considered a mandatory life skill. When asking someone what they've been up to what would your response be if they said "I've been thinking a lot about..." or "I'm pondering life and my place in it!"


We don't give enough weight to carefully considering our lives, our commitments, activities, and the impact we can have when we sit at the feet of our Master and listen to him. Think about His words and what they mean to you today.


There is a time and a place to "Be still and know that I am God". Psalm 46:10. Take time to ponder. Consider your place in this world and God's call to use your life for His Kingdom purposes.

Yes, it's something worth thinking about! Steve