Since my wife died, I find myself eating out fairly often. The waitresses at Country Kitchen all know me by name, and I have a standing breakfast date with however many of my grand-kids and great grand-kids can attend every Monday. We have a good visit, solve most of the world’s problems, and discuss everything from movies to video games to car repair. Then on Tuesday night we have dinner together. Those two meals are the highlight of my week!
When I do eat alone, I enjoy listening – and watching – people, families, couples, friends, getting together over a good meal, and I hear the sounds of life – and love. Sometimes it’s young children and toddlers smiling and waving at people in the booth behind them, or friends seeing friends or family for the first time apparently in a while. And there’s always laughter somewhere in the dining room, adults laughing, children laughing and giggling.
It’s the sound of life – and love.
People realize that it’s a part of life that’s so important; the connection to each other, hearing familiar voices, seeing familiar faces. And sometimes we say the same thing and tell the same stories over again, and that’s ok. It’s a re-affirmation of the devotion we have, the commitment we have, the need we have to connect and keep connecting to others, especially those we love.
It’s what makes us human.
But some of us carry extra cares and worries that tend to overwhelm us, back us into a corner, stifle our emotions, and break our spirit. If you’re like me, you may find yourself in a mire of self-pity, doubt, lost expectations, and spiritual numbness.
That’s when we need to remember Jesus loves us. I can quote Bible verses that affirm God’s love for us, the promises we have as His children, and indeed, the inheritance we have in Jesus. But I often lay in bed at night and sing “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
I am one of those “little ones” who belong to Jesus; I am weak, but HE is strong. Striving to have a child-like faith is something I do every day.
I have Psalm 91:1-2 hanging over my desk:
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Remember.
THE RIGHT RENDITION 