Sometimes, people drift apart; even families separate. Growing up in the early 60s I felt a closeness to my family. We lived in apartment 9 and my aunt lived in apartment 7. She and her husband
My five older brothers dropped by often had 10 kids! You read that right! Ten older kids. The youngest was probably 8-12 years older than me. Some, had kids of their own, which played with me. A few years after the father died, they moved away, and a cousin moved in. I always had someone to play with., creating a close-knit atmosphere. When my parents moved to Puerto Rico in 1984, they received lots of visits there from other relatives. After my father passed, a few years later, the families ties were gone. Although we visited our relatives, practically none visited us. Been that way for about 30 years.
Families and friends can move away leaving us feeling empty. In fact, on more than one occasion, we received the “Good-bye Calls” from friends/family telling us the good news they were in our neighborhood and would love to have seen us, but were leaving tomorrow or were at the airport heading home. Yeah, right. Those were courtesy calls in case someone who knew both parties would tell us, “Hey, you’ll never guess who I just saw…”
I’m pretty sure you’ve had your share of ghost family and friends. Maybe everyone’s walked out on you. Or, maybe you can’t wait for others to leave you alone. Life can be very tough. Yet, there’s “A friend that sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Jesus is the Friend that will never abandon us. Through thick and thin, He’s always faithful. Others will move away, die, betray us, deny us, blame us, treat us like trash, thrash us, even leave us to die; but Christ will sweep us up into His arms and tend our hurt and pain.
“Though my mother and my father forsake me, the LORD will take me in” (Psalm 27:10).
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you” (Isaiah 49:15).
In general, people may have distanced themselves from us; likewise, we also may have moved away from God, yet, with open arms He awaits our return.
“Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 1:3b).
“For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return unto him” (2 Chronicles 30:9b).
Come on, return to Him NOW!
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1).
Close the gap!
Sam