Feels Like Family

Tonight I sat around a table with an ecclectic group of people. The Aussie & her son, the born & bred southerners, the US Marine who has become Albanian, his beautiful young daughter, and me, the Yankee. On the outside we just don't fit. On the inside, we couldn't be knit together any tighter. Because of another meeting, I had less than an hour to enjoy this gathering, but I could have sat at that table all night. These people have shared experiences with me and a love for a group of people that elevates them to a very special place in my heart.

Most of Paul's letters begin with a greeting of love and blessing to those he is addressing. Tonight, I think of his letter to Philemon. "I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the heart of the saints."

Tonight I sat in a room full of people who love the Lord and have dedicated their lives to sharing Him with the world, and my heart was refreshed. My passion was renewed. I am ready to go again, not because of anything that was said, but because of a love that was felt. I praise God for these friends, for with them, as with few others, it feels like family.