Daily Devotionals

Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life

Devotional: December 30th

Mother's Day weekend is always an interesting one. Before the kids were all grown up and on their own we would have these times of hustling around to make sure that all the bases were being covered as to what everyone was getting Becky, my wife, and where we were going to go for the big dinner. This year we were wondering if we would see the kids in shifts and pretty much knew that we would not even see one of them due to his requirements in the ministry he is in up north in Wisconsin.

At first my daughter and her husband were coming over for the church service at Minosrsville. Then my son-in-law decided to go to church with his mother and then come over. The result of that action meant that Vince and Kara would be there for the supper meal with my youngest son and his wife and the twins. That was the best scenario we could expect. Following the services at Minorsville My wife, my daughter and I decided to return to the house and then go out to eat. That way we would be in one car.

At the house, my wife and daughter took a quick bathroom and I went into the kitchen to get a drink. There on the kitchen island lay a bible and some church info from another church in Georgetown. I said something about it to my daughter and she lowered her voice. "John's here." she said in a whisper. "He went on over to Mi Mexico to surprise Mom." I quickly hid the Bible and stuff from Becky's sight right before she walked in and asked if we were ready. The thought of what I was about to see made me really ready.

Becky went through the door at Mi Mexico (Mexican restaurant) and that was when she heard a voice off to the left in the entry. The look of surprise on her face was amazing. She had not expected our oldest son to be there for the weekend. Neither had I. But there he was hugging her. It was real. And it was wonderful. That evening the whole family was together for one of those rare occasions. Today my son and his summer intern will leave to go back. They will leave behind the precious memory of a mother's joy for me.

Someday Jesus will return. It will be when we least expect it. Those who belong to God's family will be overjoyed. Their excitement at His final coming will be unrestrained. But for some it will not be so wonderful. "And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?' " Revelation 6:15-17 Now is the time to check your family ties.