My Dad is one of seven kids. When I was little, their family used to hold family reunions on or around their mother’s birthday each August. It was one of the highlights of the year for us kids, right up there with Christmas! Each of my Dad’s siblings took a turn at hosting the event. My favorite spot to celebrate the occasion was on my Uncle Luke & Aunt Ann’s farm. There were horse rides, whiffle ball games, a tub full of ice & pop & food, glorious food.
Eventually the number of sons & daughters willing to act as hosts dwindled. A few kept the tradition alive until the burden seemed to fall almost completely on Luke & Ann. They were the “glue” that kept our family together for a long time. I hope you have some “tacky” people in your family that help you stay connected. Someone willing to go the extra mile, do the grunt work, put up with disappointments, shell out more than their fair share in order to get the family together every so often.
As Christians we are called to that level of hospitality & concern for others. It’s easy to get disgusted with other people, it’s easy to reason our way out of getting involved. But what we’re called to do is to care, to work & to give so that others will be encouraged. Are you as “sticky” as ever or have you lost some of your adhesiveness? Let’s be Gorilla Glue for Jesus!