“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” – Psalm 34:3
After graduating college mid-term, my very first professional job took me out of state to Hutchinson, Kansas. I moved to a new city, my very own apartment and a brand-new job. It was exciting, it was scary, and it was me starting a new place to call home. I remember buying a few new household items and a stick or two of furniture – but it was mostly cobbled together hand-me-downs that I used to make my tiny apartment feel like home.
I missed my family and missed my friends; many were still in college. There was a lot to learn at my new job, a new city to explore and friends to make, but I can still remember counting the days until I could drive home to visit. As I traveled that straightaway trip along I-35, all my thoughts were of seeing those I loved and how much fun we would have. Those trips would never disappoint—my mom would always make my favorite meals. We would hang out, laugh, eat. We would go shopping and out to dinner and to the movies. We would try to visit my grandparents and I would always get in dinner, college football games, and activities with friends. Coming home – my real home – was a celebration. We knew our visits were not as frequent and traveling the distance was not as easy, so we would pack in a lot of time to gather and spend precious moments with each other. I later lived in Chicago and Dallas and then Oklahoma City, but no matter the distance I traveled and no matter where I was in my life’s journey – my family welcomed me home and I felt like it was a celebration.
Today, my brother, my sister and I all live a lot closer to my parents and we don’t have to travel far to visit. We are fortunate to visit more frequently as well. When we all gather, however, it still seems like a celebration. My mom still makes our favorite foods, we gather around the table and share photos and stories, we laugh and talk and love our time together. Being with our family is important – it lifts our spirits, reminds us we are loved, and that there are many people who care and support us.
That is not too different from our family of faith. When we all gather on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening – or anytime there is a group of our church family together – it is a celebration. There is a time to sing, to share stories, to eat and celebrate and pray. I hope you’ll come home to your family of faith and encourage others to as well. I promise you it will lift your spirits. It will remind you that you are loved, and you will see so many people who care and support each other!
– Lori Hall, Executive Director of Missions
