God of Heaven’s Armies, you find so much beauty in your people!
From the desk of Pastor Ben
God of Heaven’s Armies, you find so much beauty in your people! They’re like lovely sanctuaries of your presence. (Psalm 84:1) NLT
When my mother passed away a couple of years ago, my wife & I went to Pennsylvania for her funeral. We were staying in a motel in my hometown. One morning we were eating a continental breakfast at the motel, we got our food and sat down to eat. As usual, we said grace before we ate. As we ate, I noticed a woman at another table. She was eating alone and every time I glanced her way, she was smiling at me. I smiled back at her and we continued to eat.
Eventually, I got up to refill my coffee. The woman who’d been watching us & smiling at me followed. “Excuse me,” she said. “I couldn’t help notice that you prayed before you ate. Are you a Christian?” “Yes,” I said. I went on to tell her that we were in town for my mother’s funeral. She said that she was in town for a funeral as well; her sister had died. We expressed our condolences to each other and the woman said, “My sister’s last words were, ‘I love Jesus, and Jesus loves me.”
In those moments, a familiar and special bond formed even though we had just met. That bond. A Jesus bond had knit us together in a random hotel breakfast room. We were part of a family; God’s family. That bond formed because His people are lovely sanctuaries of His presence and joy magnets. What a gift!
Faith Step: Watch for moments of unexpected Jesus bonds today. Celebrate each one as a joyful gift.