In spite of his pressing health issues,
my desire to introduce my husband at our family reunion prevailed and we changed
our plans to attend at the last minute. A quick getaway trip over a long
weekend was “just what the doctor
ordered.”
Afterwards, William and I returned
home and resumed the daily routine. Our custom is morning devotions before
breakfast. Armed with warm coffee, our Bibles and two devotionals for guidance,
we settled comfortably into the wing back chairs by the window. And like most
mornings, the reading stimulated dialogue for possible life applications. From
October 20 in Sarah Young’s “Jesus
Calling,” I read aloud,
“I
am your living God, far more abundantly alive than the most vivacious person
you know. The human body is wonderfully crafted, but gravity and the inevitable
effects of aging weigh it down. Even the most superb athlete cannot maintain
his fitness over many decades. Lasting abundant life can be found in Me alone.”
I finished the page and Bill asked,
“Kate,
what does abundant life look like?”
It is his way, asking what something
looks like to further our understanding. I remembered the Amplified translation
of John 10:10 and I heard myself repeating words like, “full, to the fullest, till overflowing.” Our discussion turned a
corner when Bill looked squarely at me and said,
“In my adult life, I’ve
never been to a family reunion quite
like yours.”
“What do you mean?”
“Kate,
if I were asked to describe an abundant life, I’d begin with kitchen
counters filled with rich meats, vegetables, breads, appetizers and desserts
with coffee and teapots that never emptied. As absent soldiers’ pictures stood
like sentinels guarding the chow line, proud parents and siblings paid tribute
to their military family members as they milled freely about. Against a
panoramic view of the Texas hill country, a table filled with homemade craft
items and baked goods competed for the highest bid to help fund the next
reunion. River walks, tractor rides, skeet shoots, hula hoops and rope toys,
scrabble games, wildflowers, centipedes and dragonflies enhanced the menu as
well as cows mooing, dogs barking, children laughing, men whistling, and women
chatting. Aunts, uncles and cousins alike perused the family albums and told memorable
stories to help bridge the generation gaps. These are the
conversations that cannot fit on paper or paintings fit for a canvas. This
picture of abundant life is a colorful palette of variety that could never be improved
with Photoshop."
For a moment, I was speechless, but
it was true. He had just described the reunion. Our family works hard to
create these Kodak moments that anyone would covet. I never realized how covetous
until Bill shared his observations. I am a part of a family that can’t be owned, but ours is a true wealth that
can be possessed. This is the prosperity
of my soul.
Bill continued,
“Many
people acquire these relational opportunities, but few truly apprehend them.
Just like some folks never truly apprehend their divine identity and enjoy a genuine,
relational life in Jesus.”
I confess I have taken my earthly
family for granted. Some of these relationships have
been white water rapids and others, placid tidal pools. You probably have
similar relationships in your life. In either case, an abundant life begins
with an invitation “to dive in,” a
permission “to look around and see what
you find.” But “life exchange” requires a response to the invitation.
As believers, we said, “Yes” to His outstretched hand when we
were drowning. Then the Lord gave us to a spiritual family that continually invites
us to safely wade in deeper. Hopefully, you are finding refreshment and leading
others to the River of Life. From the Gospel of John, we read,
“Now on the final and most important day of the Feast,
Jesus stood and He cried in a loud voice, ‘If any man is thirsty, let him come
to Me and drink. He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies
on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow [continuously]
springs and rivers of living water.’” John 7:37-38 AMP
Come on in, the water is fine!
©2014-2016
