YOU’RE NOT ALONE

You could almost smell the sea air, hear the sound of the seagulls, feel the cool ocean water, the warmth of the sand between your toes. They were on the beaches of North Carolina for the Bakers’ annual beach vacation. My sissy and George rented a huge beach house and invited Jake to join them. After all he has gone through with his accident, they generously wanted him to get away for some fun and relaxation…well, fun he had but relaxation? NOT!!! With four rambunctious boys, he spent his time in the water fighting the waves, playing frisbee, being buried in the sand, and just keeping them busy having fun. To be honest, I wasn’t sure he was coming back because their parents were suggesting that they were going to kidnap him and bring him back to their home! They celebrated my sissy’s birthday and Jake, for the first time, was a part of that. But the best part? Jake’s family has expanded and he is not alone. Being an only child with older parents, can be lonely. But, this week with the Bakers, showed him he belongs to a very fun, active, and generous family. This picture shows the JOY that can only come from a sense of belonging to others who also love you. Now, as good as this may be, we have something even better….heaven with our spiritual family and our Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. For those who have passed away we will see them again and what JOY that will be! In Revelation 21: 3,4 it reads “ I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “ Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever”. The question is “ will you be a part of this family?” For most families you don’t have a choice. But in God’s family you do. He loves you and wants to spend eternity with you…the choice is yours. We chose Jake to be a part of our family and now he knows his extended family, the Bakers, also have brought him into their fold and love him ( especially Thomas!-inside joke ) He is not alone. And you don’t need to be alone either. I pray you will ask Jesus into your heart and become a part of God’s heavenly family today. And for those who are already in His family, be encouraged that we will one day see our loved ones, and spend eternity with our Father who loves us soooooo much! Praise God we are not alone.