The Shower (02/22/2025)

My granddaughter will be getting married this spring. Yesterday a group of family and friends gathered for a shower complete with great food and drink, with stories, with advice, with games, and with a shower of love and gifts for the couple. As I drove home from the gathering, I found myself smiling broadly. This is the way life is supposed to be – lovingly sharing the journey with one another.

Every one of us present, I believe, want to see the couple thrive, to succeed in their pursuits, to grow ever closer to one another. Every one of us present, I believe, want to spare the couple the mistakes we’ve made on our way, hence the advice. We all want the couple to grow together, so as their branches of the family trees spread, we want them to remember their loving roots, hence the stories. And every one of us present know that “all work and no play” is not a formula for life. Laughter and joy, fun and adventure must be part of our journeys, so we played games.

Last evening, as I reflected on my day and remembered my granddaughter at the shower, I prayed to the LORD that her hopes will bear fruit, that she and her fiancée will have a wonderful wedding and a blessed union. I prayed that they will remember their roots as they seek to grow their relationship and family. I prayed that they’d always recognize the loving family that is here to help them and encourage them. And lastly, I prayed that they’d open themselves to the showering of gifts the LORD seeks to give them on their journey beginning with love.

As we continue our journeys of faith, hope and love, let us work hard to recognize the gifts we gather from the community who accompanies us, from our family and friends, our church group, our neighbors. May we be willing to accept the loving offerings for what they are – loving gifts – even though they may not be exactly what we were looking for on our “registry.” May we also recognize the gifts of our host in this life – the LORD. May we give thanks always for the shower of gifts we receive because of the LORD’s love and hospitality.

Until tomorrow, may we all love well.