A Full House (02/25/2024)

This weekend, our home has been full of people, voices, laughter, conversations, meals shared and hugs. My husband’s brother and sister-in-law came for a visit. Our family came around to share time with them. While we had many moments of “togetherness” over the past 72 hours, yesterday’s gathering was our largest requiring 14 chairs and three tables. And numerous times throughout the day, I stood aside, watched, and gave thanks for this gift of a full house.

I gave thanks for the visiting relatives from Iowa who took the time and paid the cost to travel for a visit with our family. I recognize that this itself was a great gift. I gave thanks for my children who all made sure they took time to come to visit and for their grasp of the importance of family. I gave thanks for my grandchildren and their partners (all in their 20s) who set aside other plans to hang out here together. I gave thanks for the many helping hands and cheerfully done labors that made everything flow so smoothly. I gave thanks for the loving hearts and cooperating spirits of all who came together.

At one point, I stood aside and just watched and smiled. And then I thought of the LORD who has blessed me so with these people in my life and my joy at having them all together. My mind drifted or was led to heaven, and I realized the joy the LORD has at the full house of Heaven, the gathering of the sons and daughters at the heavenly feast. Instantly, I was filled with a desire to be there, to be among the family of God. And I realized my choices here determine my presence there.

Through Christ's sacrifice, salvation is won and open to us. But we must choose Christ and then live as He commands us. Will I take the time to love well? Will I give of my time and treasure for the sake of love here on earth? Will I value relationships over entertainment or possessions? Will I join with others to do good here? Will I cooperate with the Spirit who tries to lead me?

During our Lenten journey, may we all be blessed with time to reflect upon what is truly essential. May we seek to choose wisely, lovingly, selflessly daily. May we value the “family” we are born into, the family of God, sisters and brothers all. May we seek the guidance and grace necessary from the Spirit and cooperate with those heavenly gifts for our benefit. And may we open our minds and hearts fully to the possibilities all put in place by the LORD because the LORD is love and being of the LORD and seeking time with the LORD requires love.

Until tomorrow, may we all love well.

Thoughts? I’d love to hear from you. Questions? I’ll try to answer. Requests? – email me at katewiskus@gmail.com