August 18

”Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

(Colossians 3:16 NIV)

In my mother’s family all seven siblings were Christians. Several were Free Church pastors. Each year some of the siblings and their families would meet in the country side for a few weeks during the summer. They were simple people. None had a higher education. The story is told of my uncle that when writing official letters he’d jokingly add a few letters at the end, and instruct the reader to insert them wherever they seemed most appropriate.

Even though the family was of a simple nature, there was warmth, devotion and Godliness, that manifested itself even on their vacation. God’s Word lived in their midst. We often gathered for family dinners and not once did family time conclude without a meditation. We’d often sing all the verses of August Storm’s song “Thank You Lord for All Your Mercies”-, a song that includes words of thanksgiving for both the good in life as well as the pain, for both what’s past and what’s to come, for what is known and for the unknown.

Spiritual fellowship is a key resource for us Christians. Let’s not be afraid of practicing today’s Bible verse when meeting with family and friends.

Prayer

Jesus I want to invite You to be with me in those circumstances where I find myself, not only unseen in my heart, but also in the visible fellowship.