February 26, 2024
Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer. ~ Hebrews 10:25 NLT
At Sunday’s KOLA class (a lectionary-based Bible study that meets for an hour before worship), someone remarked at how good it is to be together and share not only a discussion about a Bible passage, but also ourselves and our experiences. Hebrews 10:25 immediately came to mind. I remarked that we’ve gotten into the habit of meeting together and are experiencing the blessing of each other as we struggle and support together, along with tears from laughter and life. I was reminded of something that that our granddaughter Anne-Sophie said during her recent visit.
Saturday a week ago I was surprised by what Anne-Sophie, our almost-ten-year-old granddaughter said during dinner. We took turns going around the table and answering two questions: “What was your rose today?” and “What was your thorn?”
“My thorn,” she said, “was that the Art Spot was closed. My rose was hanging out with family.”
I was surprised and delighted that a big disappointment was balanced, not by any other particular activity (shopping for art supplies so we could have our own art spot in the basement, lunch at McDonalds, getting haircuts, working on art projects, watching a Winnie the Pooh movie, a time out and working on unexpected homework on vacation) but by the gift of spending time together.
It wasn’t perfect. Then again neither are we. It was a rose nonetheless because we spent the day being together, doing life together. What an amazing gift it is to hangout together, no fancy lights or music or food, and no business agenda other than sharing life.
Thanks, Anne-Sophie, for your wisdom. ~ Anne
Wayfinding 