“Barbecued chicken, fresh green beans, deviled eggs, potato casserole, broccoli salad, homemade ice cream and peach cobbler were among the good food featured on the menus at this weekend’s picnics to celebrate our son Jake’s two-week home leave from Iraq. It struck me that everyone who gathered brought with them an offering. Whether sharing a gift of food, time, or pay, all present made a sacrifice to be together.
Underlying the eating, talking, swimming, laughter, games and photo ops, those who gathered link Jake’s past to his present. Friend or family, each of us holds a memory, story and part in Jake’s life. He is well loved.
I receive great joy from having my children home. While we have plenty of interaction among each other individually, being physically together is a special gift. There is great strength in the family unit. Love flows outward from the bond well-established with God at its head. As a parent, my daily prayers include the safety of my children, but even more so, that they accept God’s love and grow their relationships with His love as the foundation.
Jesus promises that we need simply ask in order to receive gifts from the Father. For if we, “who are wicked know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him" (Luke 11:13)?
The harshness of the word “wicked” does not turn me off or cause me to dismiss the beauty of Jesus’ message. After all, none of us is pure. No, in our imperfection we struggle against the impurity of our thoughts and deeds, whether of anger, jealousy, greed or other sins. Our imperfection makes the deeply implanted love we have for our children a noble virtue, for we ask only for their good and give them the same. It is in our love for others that we reflect God’s perfection!
All these thoughts were with me this weekend. Most of all, I am thankful that home binds us together, whether it is in body or spirit does not matter.
And so I pray: Dear Lord, guard and strengthen us in your love. Fill us with the joy of asking for Your good gifts and sharing them with bountiful hearts.
