This past weekend, I traveled across the state to meet with extended family at my cousin’s house for a family reunion. We met on his father’s (my uncle’s) birthday, though he passed away this last year, it was a good way to remember him. We had not met together for about three years due to covid, but it was a good chance to see each other again, eat together, and share some stories. Even though I have known these people my whole life, I always learn some new things through the stories they tell. Stories of my grandparents, my mom when she was growing up, and what they have been going through in their own lives recently. There are always more stories to share than time to do so. What do you most look forward to when you gather with your extended family?
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:2-3
When I was younger, we used to get together at least every year, once with my mother’s extended family and once with my dad’s, not counting other birthdays and holiday gatherings. So, I was familiar with most of these people, even though we did not see all of them regularly, as I did with my immediate aunts, uncles and cousins. As the years went by and the older generations passed on, the meetings seemed to be less regular and even took breaks for several years at a time, so that I didn’t even know many of the people that were there anymore. What do you think it will be like when we gather in heaven with people we have never met before, but who are part of your new, large extended family? Will we share stories of what we did as we lived here on earth, or will we be making new stories as we get to know our Heavenly Father and our large new extended family? I’m sure we will find out and have eternity to learn and work together in our new lives together.
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9
Yours in Christ,
Clark
