Days like today remind me of just how important my family is to me. Just like so many others throughout the world, we celebrated Christmas with our family today. Unrushed meals and the sharing of gifts allowed me to count my blessings more so than unusual. The routine of life drains away my perspective of preciousness in my mind’s eye for my family. Today was simply a lot of fun.

Our church family is just as much or even more susceptible to this drain. I don’t sense too much of a longing to see other Christians these days. I do feel more of a sense of seeking the minimum time required to get the job done. Life can be like that and we have to guard against it. Seeing other Christians should be “fun”.

I find these words in the New Testament Scripture helpful. It’s what Paul wrote to his friend Philemon before he asked a big favor.

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people (Philemon 1:4-7).

Mary was highly favored because God favored us. I got to have fun today because long ago God looked upon me with favor. Lord, help me be a refresher to the hearts of the Lord’s people.