Have you ever had something happen to you and later on down the road you see that God had given you a blessing to help you get through a rough time ? (Even if you are not sure you could call it a blessing.) And then there are those blessings that bring great joy!
A couple months before the "worm", I turned 53. And much to my surprise and joy, my church family threw a huge outdoors cookout and party for me. There had to have been close to a hundred people there. What joy it was to have so many of my beloved friends there; talking , laughing, eating yummy food and enjoying good ole Christian fellowship !
What a wonderful time that was. (And yes, I did love all that attention !!) But most of all , the closeness, the love of the brethren was very obvious to all. Not only for me , but for the church.
You might be wondering what this all has to do with my story. Well, it has to do with love. The kind that is spoken of in 1 John. (Our pastor has been going through 1 John in morning worship. Pastor Cliff Blair's sermons can be heard at www.sermonaudio.com. )
All of 1 John is so beautiful and rich. And in chapter 4 we are encouraged to love one another.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God;and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." vs. 7 and 8 "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." vs.10 and eleven. What a wonderful way to see God's love for us... to see it manifested in the love that His body has for one another !!
I remember ,there was a very well known author and his wife at this gathering He has written many books on theology. They were staying with a friend of ours and they had brought them along to the gathering. (They were from Great Britain ) They were wondering why my 53rd birthday was being celebrated. Was that a special birthday time in the US ? "No," replied my friend, "we are celebrating because we just love her."
Just because we love her..... Just because we love our God..... Just because we love our Saviour..... Just because He first loved loved us.
What a gift this party was. My Father knew what was ahead in the many years of trial. Not only for me,but friends, family my beloved husband, David. A lasting reminder that He loves me...us...His church. All because of His love.
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