Trail Of Love

So, just like the Christmas season, we have come through the Easter season. There are similarities, and differences. In today’s terms, the internet is pasted with photos of family dinner tables, loaded to the hilt with plenty. Yes, the finest china for the special family guests, silver and napkins all carefully placed just so. After all, we must have everything perfect. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth event of Jesus. At Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, after mourning His crucifixion. Now, although we do these things, we all know the inaccuracies of the timing, dates, and yes the true meaning and events. Yet I won’t get into those arguments here. The important thing is that we acknowledge Jesus and His sacrifice, and His returning, or at least His promise of the same.

I want to focus on our family at this time. As I watched the recent mini-series, called Jesus, His Life, I was struck by the idea that even members of His own family thought he was crazy for claiming to be the Son of God. I can appreciate the time thought, as way back in His time, it would seem pretty incredible and frankly, unbelievable. Yet, Mary His mother never doubted, for she knew the truth. As many friends, family and even strangers believed him to be false, there were others who believed by faith, who He was.

While seeing family photos of dinner gatherings, I could not help but wonder how many at our tables just don’t believe, or even care. Christmas and Easter have become a convenient few days off from our jobs, that’s it. All of us have friends and loved ones who put up with someone like me saying a blessing over the meal in Jesus’ name. For some, it’s an uncomfortable thirty seconds. Yet, we still should have hope that in those few moments, God will come alive in someone’s spirit, and get them to silently ask Him into their life. The dinner time itself should be a reminder of how precious a gift our family is that God has given to us. Whether a small gathering or a house full of chatter, we should be thankful that Jesus loved us so much, that He died so we could live. When the dining rooms fall silent, and the walls hold the ghosts of laughter, we should always give thanks to the one who died, so we would at least have a good reason to gather in love to share a meal.

Love one another as He loves us, and never allow anything to cause conflict within those walls. Remember that He is risen, and is coming back. He left us a trail of His love and an empty cross to remember Him by. If any of your family dinners are your last supper, then let your trail of love be the last thing to remain in the empty chair you leave behind.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com