Elemental: S2 - Day 27

Matthew 10:40  “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes Me…”

Caryl Lynn and I always wanted children.  So over eight years, we had three and our lives filled with joy. We were young, and there were diapers and onesies, Playmobil® sets and  Legos, tea parties and trampolines. We loved  our time together at summer camp, Ocean City,  and Christmas at Grandma and Grampy’s. There  were always lights on at our house (oh, the  electric bill) and usually laughter.  

As a boy, I noticed the house in the  neighborhood where all the teens hung out on  the weekends. I remember thinking, “Wouldn’t  it be great to be the cool parents with the fun  house where everyone collected?” So quietly,  over time, I built a fantasy that our children  would prefer to bring their friends and spend  time with us rather than escape, create  distance, and be away. For the most part, my  dream came true.  

Now, several decades and the life of one  chocolate Labrador Retriever later, we wake  up in a quiet, empty nest. Our children are  scattered across the country. But we all plan  to spend an August week in Michigan. Then,  for Thanksgiving, we’ll collect in California to  eat turkey and celebrate some birthdays. And finally, everyone will gather for Christmas at our house here in Tennessee. It will be glorious—the  game playing, music, special meals, galloping footfalls of two dogs, and even an argument  or two. We love each other and still prefer spending our time with this little handmade community.
 
But today, there’s a missing texture from the picture of the family I painted years ago.  We went to church. We sang Bible songs in the car, read the Chronicles of Narnia, and prayed  the Lord’s Prayer before chasing our kids to bed.  We had Bible studies in our home and a “Heaven  Party” one weekend (the kids designed it). We loved Jesus together.  

Now each of our children is disconnected  from organized church. I don’t feel confident  saying they want to walk with Jesus. And we’ve decided it’s not Mom and Dad’s place to regularly remind them of, or invite them to, spiritual things. They know what we believe. We are called to walk beside them.
 
So, if my child doesn’t intend a life with  Jesus but wants to spend time with me knowing  I’m walking with Jesus, play that scene out in your mind—my child, me, and Jesus. Somehow  faith is flowing like an electric current. It’s  a little mystical, a calculus I don’t fully understand. But I’m counting on it. I believe  there is unique spiritual power in community;  salvation through connection—for “anyone who welcomes us, welcomes Jesus…”
 
1. What is one of your favorite family games?
2. How close is your life to what you dreamt?  Why is that?
3. Who are you presently trying to carry to  Jesus?