The Circle of Love

Ephesians 4
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

My kitchen was considered an eat in kitchen. If you are unfamiliar with this term, it is a small room with a cozy spot smack dab in the middle perfect for my round table. Sentimental value is attached because it represents my single days and my family coming together. I purchased it from an unfinished furniture store and refinished it myself right after college.

During the hours of 3 pm until 6 pm, my kitchen was the family hub. I learned to multi-task on those afternoons as I answered homework questions, cooked supper and washed clothes as my washer and dryer were behind louver doors in that kitchen.

Guessing how many times I walked around that table or how many assignments were completed around that table would be impossible for the almost eight years we lived there! Yet, the incredible conversations while learning to fold clothes, setting the table for supper, doing Science Fair projects and even accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior around that table are our families’ circles of love. Maybe you have a similar place in your home or you would enjoy having one. Whether it’s around the kitchen table or not, there is a love. Love that sustains the test of time. Love that developed because of quality time spent together around our table.

Acceptance and encouragement were at that table as well as tough decisions and sometimes tough no’s! Trust was planted, offered and accepted at our round table, our “circle of love.”

You may remember in the book of Hosea God telling Hosea to marry a promiscuous woman. So, he did. He married Gomer. Hosea had a “circle of love” with Gomer. Not a traditional circle of marriage and family. It was a circle God used to show the Israelites how MUCH he loved them and how committed he was to them. No matter what Gomer did or how many times she did it, God told Hosea to take her back. Hosea and Gomer’s relationship was also an example of Hosea trusting God so much he obeyed God knowing of the full acceptance of God’s “circle of love.”

The first section of the book of Hosea talks about Gomer’s unfaithfulness to her husband, Hosea. Her unfaithfulness is symbolic of Israel’s idolatrous turn away from God. God’s LOVE is more powerful than her sin. Hosea’s sense of God’s indictment of unfaithful Israel was followed by His compassion and love, and His promise all will be made right through honest repentance.

Mark 12 instructs us to:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

One thing we can be certain of is that our loving Heavenly Father will always prepare a way for
all the world to love Him as He loves His children! There is nothing He will not forgive when we
confess our sins. He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Even now, our family continues to gather around the table. It may be to share a meal when they are home or to work puzzles, play cards, and simply enjoy one another’s company because the “circle of love” it has no end.

My son and his wife presently have the round table. Our daughter accepted Christ around that table and one day it will be in her home. When we visit our son and daughter-in-law, we enjoy meals and games at that table. The “circle of love’ is extended to all who join in just as Christ extends his “circle of love” or his “grace” to us all.

Pepper’s anthem concludes with “God gives love and there’s enough for all who need a holy touch. Love is strong. Love is great. Come together and celebrate! Join in the circle of LOVE!”

Until We Meet Again:

1. I challenge you to join in the “circle of love” with your family. It may not be a table, but it is my prayer for all who join your circle to be welcomed and loved!

2. Allow your imperfect grands to help you choose a location to have your “family circle of love.”

3. Play one game together this week as a family!
i.e. card game; dominoes, et.