Gracious God of peace, pour out Your peace on this dear reader and all she or he may face today. In Christ Jesus' Name, amen.
Our granddaughter, Saraí Evangelina, called her grandma yesterday. Our daughter related to me this story: She asked her Mom to call Grandma, took the phone and then walked into her bedroom and closed the door. She could hear roars of laughter from the other side but was not allowed in. A bit later, she opened the door and not letting go of the phone, said, "Grandma wants to talk to you - but I'm still talking to Grandma!" Later, Nellie confirmed the story and said that our grandbaby wasn't saying much but would laugh, causing Grandma to laugh, and that would make Sarita laugh all the morning. Grandma called it their laugh party. Such a story is a great example of philos, that love between family. In an attempt to be a model city, the City of Philadelphia named themselves this name which means "The city of brotherly love." I've only been there a couple of times and would not swear to the truth behind their name. And sadly, here in the South, another Philadelphia, during the Civil Rights movement was the site of anything but brotherly love.
Jesus knew the importance of loving one another so much that He made it a commandment, "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." (1 John 4:17). This Sunday's sermon dialogue at our NuLife worship service allowed for folks to share their stories of how they learned of love outside the home, and one shared how an illness in the family showed an outpouring of love even from strangers, another told of the constant love and care by members of the church family; all examples of how a church should be a family that loves.
In families and churches, there are times when the love is not felt; but it is up to us to call upon the Lord to make right our hearts and motives so that we can love God and love each other. All of us have the lead in this, love one another.
Call your daughter/son or granddaughter/son and have a laugh party today!
PRAYER: God of love and laughter, make light my heart today so that I may see the joy that comes in getting along and loving one another. Lord, help me to be a person of mercy towards those who do not love me or have judged me not worthy of their love. May I lead by example. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
