By Doug Creamer
Family Gatherings
For a number of years my brother has been hosting four holiday gatherings: Easter, July Fourth, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve. Everyone brings something and there is always more than enough food. These are not just family gatherings; there are many friends and neighbors who join our festivities…but they would be the first to tell you that they are welcomed as if they were family.
This year for Easter we had three babies in attendance, all the way up to my mother who is in her nineties. The three babies were my sister’s grandchildren, and boy was she happy. The rain tried to put a damper on the fun but leave it to my brother’s son to amp it up. We had the Easter egg hunt inside. For a number of years it has not been limited to children. Everyone gets to hunt for eggs. There is nothing like seeing seniors getting excited over finding hidden Easter eggs.
The plastic eggs contain candy and play money. The play money is used to buy prizes. The prize table included candy, golf balls, jewelry, flashlights, coloring books, Lego toys, toy planes, and more. My sister-in-law and I are always in competition for the Junior Mints. Last year she won. This year I won and I shared some with her.
Several of the adults wondered if Easter was more fun than Christmas as we watched the little kids having a blast. I brought some plastic eggs and put some real money in them. One of the adults found one of my eggs and had more fun showing people that she had found “real” money in one of her eggs. The joy and laughter were contagious.
As things were beginning to wind down, one of my late father’s friends who has joined us recently for our gatherings said he wanted to make an announcement. Naturally, we all suspected he was going to say something about Dad. He said he couldn’t think of a more joyful moment to do something special. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring he had “bought” from the prize table with his play money and asked his lady friend if she would marry him. He promised her a real ring if she agreed. She said “yes” and the place erupted with cheers! What a special day!
Easter is a wonderful celebration of the resurrection of our Lord. We have to remember that the resurrection couldn’t have happened unless He died on the cross for us. Jesus paid the highest price to pay a debt we could not pay so we could be in His family. Everyone is welcome in the family of God. All you have to do is open your heart and receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
When we accept Jesus it’s like we enter an engagement period. We wait here for Him to come back for us or we go to Him. One day our whole family will gather for a great feast and we will be together forever. I am not exactly sure what that will feel like or how it will look, but if it has any comparison to family gatherings at my brother’s house then count me in.
The engagement time in a relationship is a special time when you get to know each other in a deeper and more meaningful way. Many churches encourage you to participate in some marriage counseling. We had a wonderful couple that spent time with us and it helped prepare us for married life. In the same way, this is our time to get to know Jesus, His Father, and the Holy Spirit. We can spend time in His word, His love letter to us, in prayer, having conversations with Him, and being connected and involved with our brothers and sisters in Christ through joining a local church. We need to prepare for the big wedding day!
I want to encourage you to let your love grow deeper as you build your relationship with Jesus. He is working to prepare your beautiful home and a great feast for your arrival. I think that spring and the awakening of Mother Nature can be breath-taking at times, but it is nothing compared to the wonder and beauty that awaits us in heaven. Don’t miss out on the great gathering in heaven. Accept Jesus’ invitation, receive Him in your heart, and learn to walk by faith with Him. Come just as you are…He loves and accepts all who will turn to Him. Happy Belated Easter! He has risen indeed!
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
