For a period of a few weeks one of our daughters and our 22-month-old granddaughter came to stay with us while my son-in-law created dust remodeling their new home. During this time my precious granddaughter went from communicating in one-word sentences to actually having conversations. Who knew that sitting on our covered deck and watching it rain, or, watching the birds eat from the feeder could be so entertaining. Birdwatching became our special activity. It was especially rewarding when my granddaughter was getting tired. She would get her blanket and say, “Poppa, watch burds?” She would then say, “Sit bottom right here,” as she would pat her little hand on the patio chair. Then she would say, “Hold you,” and I would pick her up and we would watch the birds together.
The time came when we had to take our girls to the airport so they could return home to Florida. My wife said her “goodbyes” at the curb while I helped get the luggage into the airport. As my daughter headed into the security area, my granddaughter stopped, turned around and said, “Come on, Poppa.” My daughter took her hand and said, “Poppa isn't going. He has to stay here.” My granddaughter’s mouth fell open as she looked back at me with a look of confusion that broke my heart. My eyes welled up with tears and a large lump formed in my throat.
As her mother carried her away, she looked back and put her little hand to her mouth and pulled it away quickly. This was her way of blowing a kiss. How could such a sweet gesture break a grown man’s heart? I called back with a crack in my voice, “I love you,” and went out to the car where my wife was waiting. Through my tears I told her what had just happened. She also began to cry. We wanted them to stay. We also wanted them to be together with our son-in-law. We just didn't want our time together to end.
Being part of a family who love each other is such a blessing. Should the spiritual family of the New Testament church not also be emotionally attached to one another? I am reminded of Paul's farewell to the elders of the Ephesian church (Acts 20:37-38) when they wept as they said good-bye. Tears of separation only come when there is a strong attachment. Those who are part of the New Testament church will be close to one another. It breaks our heart when part of our family moves away. If we are not close, it certainly will not have the same effect. Do we come and go, visiting with each other for a few brief moments at each assembly, and that is basically the only contact we have with our church family? How can we help bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2) if we do not know what the burdens are? How might we rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Rom. 12:15) unless we have closeness with each other? And how will we have an opportunity to know these things unless we are around one another?
The apostle Paul wrote, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (Phil. 1:3). Do you have memories of those in your church family for which you are thankful to God? Memories are created by experiences. Are you busy creating precious memories?
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