Just recently, my friends and I were hanging out in the studio - we do that quite often - just sitting around chatting. The fact that we record these conversations doesn't stop us from having a really good time. We open the Word of God and share our hearts - we talk and laugh, even cry sometimes.
For me, the best thing about these times together is that we are learning and gleaning from each other. The encouragment and sharing of our lives and what God is teaching us seems to stay with me throughout the week and I often revisit the things we've talked about. This week one of the things we discussed was how God has gifted believers individually and how using these gifts benefit the entire body. It's all about "doing life together" as my friend Beth likes to say.
It reminded me of some words of encouragement I received from my daughter many years ago when my father was suffering from emphysema and cancer. I began traveling back and forth from Ohio to Michigan to visit him at least once a month and made the trip with my then four-year-old daughter.
At that time my parents lived in a basement apartment in my brother's home so whenever we came to visit there was a lot of family around. We'd always lived far from family and I hadn't realized how that had affected my children until traveling home on one of those trips.
Leaving was always hard, not knowing how my dad would be doing, or the next time I would see him again - if I would see him again. One trip was especially hard for me and I was crying before we even left the driveway. My sweet, tender-hearted daughter reached over to pat me on my shoulder and comfort me. "It'll be alright, Mommy," she said. "We all tousins here."
In our brief time at my parents, she realized what having an extended family meant - love, comfort, sharing laughter or tears. In the family of God, we've been given this gift of one another.
Who are you sharing life with?
All for Him,
Missy
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