Psalm 80
It's that time of year when young adults begin returning from college to spend the holidays with their families. These men and women come from all corners, as well as the middle, of the United States to the warmer weather of their Hawaiian homes. They also return to a family who hasn't stopped thinking about them since the day they left.
Some of these students have been gone for only a few months, some have been away for a few years, but none of them have been gone a single day from our hearts. Of course, we have many young adults who stay in Hawaii for their college education as well. For these students this is finals week, a week normally filled with more stress than usual. Not only are they trying their best to get good grades, they're also holding down jobs at which the days are becoming busier and busier.
Although many, if not all, of our college-aged youth are very close, having known each other in our church for most of their lives, there can be a feeling of separation from being away, being busy, or being otherwise engaged. So, nothing is more warming to my heart than when they can all come together at this time of year and catch up with the events in their lives. The hugs, the smiles, the heartfelt "I've missed you", all help me to realize that the power of love cannot be withheld.
As Christmas approaches let's do our best to remember those in our lives from whom we've become separated. I've always found it disheartening when family members refuse to talk to each other. I understand that the deep hurt which caused the separation in the first place can linger for very long, sometimes for life. What I don't understand is the pride which allows one another to begin the restoration of their lives.
This week, as we celebrate the love God gives us in Jesus, let us find a way to repair our relationships and restore our lives so that once again we can live in the love which we all long for.
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