Summer Blessings

Summer. Beach. Pool. Children and grandchildren. Well, I’m living in the fullness of who I am, a Nana! What a joy to have all nine grandchildren and three daughters filling the house with laughter, sharing, and reminiscing. The fellowship was like a sweet aroma. Our summer reunion  is a sweet remembrance of the love we share for one another and others. Our children are indeed a heritage from the Lord.

The Bible teaches that family is very important. We see very early in the Bible that family members are to care for and look after one another. In today’s society where families are more transient and independent, we’ve had to get more creative to remain close and create the large family unit most of us crave.  

Living long distances from one another, our family has had to lean into our spiritual family, the Church, to minister to us. We’ve also realized that family comes in many different forms, neighbors, friends, and cohorts. Our family may not get to see one other as much as we’d like, but we have still managed to have many family members surrounding us with support and love.

I am very honored that my family loves God. It’s like power unleashed. When we gather together, I sit amazed listening to the ways our family is reaching out to others. More importantly, I hear how others are reciprocating in kind to them, offering love and encouragement when they are discouraged or need a listening ear. These are precious words to a mom who can’t always be there. I know the family they are building love them, too. 

Jesus said, “A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)  

Thank You, God, for family. Thank You for every blessing and every trial. Thank You for the strength and courage to face every day in prayer and the conviction to live each day in service and love to You. Thank You, Father, for each family member who make my life more meaningful, and reach out beyond their core unit to love others. In all things, in prayer and supplication, I praise Your holy name for the family You have so graciously given to me.

As you think about your summer and family, find ways to celebrate each other and the people that God has brought into our lives.

God bless you,

Angela 

P.S. Missing all the husbands who are not in this picture.

Love Never Forsakes

Last year my heart broke when Dylann Roof on June 17, 2015 walked into a Charleston, SC church and began shooting. In less than a year, there have been many more shootings. Mass shootings are described as four or more people shot in one incident. It’s becoming more frequent and more deadly.

On June 12, 2016, in the wee hours of the morning at an Orlando, Florida nightclub, the deadliest mass shooting attack in American history occurred.

I was brokenhearted. For the lives lost, and the man who did this atrocious act of violence. Every deceased person had someone that loved them, and their hearts are broken, too.

On Tuesday, I was standing in line at a store when I overheard a conversation on the shooting. It was ugly and mean. There seemed to be little remorse for the victims, and an almost acceptance of the tragedy. Their laughter caught me off-guard as they speculated that maybe a Muslim could have killed people based on their sexual preference or orientation.

At first, I got sick at my stomach. I knew these people went to area churches. But the absolute worst thing was, for just a moment, I leaned in and let Satan tip my ear to hear their horrible accusations. It was an ungodly conversation with ungodly thoughts. I’m so blessed that I immediately took my thoughts captive, reigning them back under God’s authority.

Folks, John 13:34-35 states:

“Love one another; as I have loved you.”

Jesus does not segregate or isolate a particular people. He said, “Love one another; as I have loved you.” It’s all inclusive. It doesn’t say “leave out the sinner” because if we did that we would have to eliminate everyone, including ourselves.

This mass killing and all the other heinous acts committed across our vast land have left people devastated. Their loved ones are dead. Murder has left fear in the hearts of many. Some wonder if their lives will ever be the same again.

Jesus asks us to love one another as He loves not to justify a killing or a killer’s intentions. There is no justification.

We have to keep our eyes on God, not on sin. We have to preach the good news of the gospel to our hearts first in order to remind ourselves how much Jesus sacrificed for all of us.

At church on Sunday, the Praise Band played Meredith Andrews song, “Not For A Moment”. The words are so right to sing over God’s children who are deceased, and to those who feel they have been left in a dry and thirsty land, wondering how they can possibly move forward.

They can, but it’s with God’s mercy, love, and grace. They need our outpouring of love and prayers.

Hope you are able to view the video and let the words sink deep into your soul. We’ve all been in the throes of heartbreak. Let our heart always break for the things that breaks Jesus’ heart.

Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD0cvWImVjA

Not for a moment will God forsake us. God bless you,

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