Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: SOCIAL (04/07/16)
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TITLE: An Eternal Fellowship Of Love | Previous Challenge Entry
By Terrie Ellington
04/14/16 -
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Each year our entire extended family gathers for at least two major holidays: Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanksgiving is my favorite.
This Thanksgiving the doorbell rings almost constantly from 11:00 to 12:00 as new guests arrive. It’s always a wonderfully loving time of food, fun, and fellowship, as we greet one another with warm smiles and embraces.
Both young and old, from cradle to cane, are in attendance numbering to about forty people. Although we are all crammed under one roof, smiles are all around. The joy of harmonious fellowship is evident in the conversations and laughter. I watch the joyous chaos and listen to the clamor of mingled voices. People greet each other with hugs and kisses. The children run and play with each other, screaming in laughter. Family loving family. Our gatherings are always quite a social event.
Each guest arrives with dish in hand for the potluck meal. In the kitchen food is shifted around on the counter to make room. What a blessing it is to have such an abundance of food: smoked ribs, chops, chicken, turkey and dressing, fried corn, mac-n-cheese, greens, green bean, candied yams, baked beans, potato salad, slaw, cakes, pies, rolls, cornbread, and punch. Surely every palate can find something to its liking.
I take a deep sigh of contentment and think to myself......if only our love and joy could last forever. Then a thought comes to mind: it can last forever.
I raise my voice above the noise in the room to get everyone’s attention. “Heeeeeeyyyy, everybody.” As silence falls I walk to the center of the room. “ It’s always so good to see y’all. I love you guys so much and I want to make sure this fellowship of love lasts forever. So I have a question for everyone.”
I raise my hand high above my head as I ask a question. “How many of you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?”
I look around the room and notice that everyone, except the very young, follows suite, raising their hands.
“I’ve never asked most of you personally before and I just wanted to make sure that we all experience a love that’s even greater than the love we have for each other.
Those of you with young children are responsible to teach them about your faith, so that one day when they are of age, they will accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.”
I look directly at the couples with young children.
“We do Aunt T.” My nephew-in-law, Nate says with pride in his voice. “We teach them at home and we go to church every Sunday.”
“That’s good, because the only way we can all gather in the fellowship of love forever is through Jesus. He tells us clearly that He’s the way, the truth, and the life and that no man comes to God (God is love) except through Him. Jesus makes us right with God so we can live with Him in heaven forever.”
A unanimous “amen” is heard across the room.
I am encouraged by their agreement. I hold my hands palm to palm in front of my lips, and plead with them. “Will y’all do me a quick favor? If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He died on the cross for your sins, please say so. I’ll start.”
I look around the room as I speak. “I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He died on the cross for my sins.” I lay my hand over my heart as I speak.
One by one going clockwise around the room, both adults and children of age make the same statement.
After the last person speaks I applaud. “Thank you for being so patient and honoring my request. I am happy to announce that by the profession of your faith, Jesus has gone to prepare a place for you, so that where He is there you will be also.
As a family in the earth we are four generations of mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces. In heaven we will all be brothers and sisters in Christ and live in a fellowship of love forever.
Now let’s pray over the food and continue our fellowship of love. Mama, will you do the honors?”
Everyone bows their head as Mama prays. “Lord, we give thanks this Thanksgiving for an eternal fellowship of love...
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