“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.” Psalm 127:3

I have determined this year that Mother’s Day at our house is the first day of swimming season. Up until that time, the pool is too chilly and there have not been many reasons to get in. After church yesterday, we started getting phone calls from our kids telling us they were coming over. Before long, the pool area was flooded with people, toys and activity.

It has been a busy week and neither of us had anticipated a gathering. The house was a mess and the pool area had not been used since last fall. Soon old toys, deflated floaties and miscellaneous stuff was being used by kids as they played together in and around the cement pond! Swimming pool games like ‘Colors’ and ‘Marco Polo’ got dads into the water, as moms sat around and chatted. When night fell and the noise died, we looked around and saw the evidence that something HAD just happened here!

Mother’s Day is usually busy day, as kids gather around to honor the one who brought them into the world. It brings blessing, joy and ultimately WORK…as we meet needs, and afterward return things back to orderly and clean. But truth be told, families are almost NEVER orderly and clean. Wherever there are ‘people’ there is disorder, noise and need. It is to such a condition that God calls us to serve.

Not everybody likes the same food, drinks, games or activities. Ordering pizza for 12 is a long process of suggestion and compromise….”NO ANCHOVIES” seemed the only universal agreement. Kids play, fight, laugh and cry… and leave messes. At the end of the day, we are left with only 1 real question… “was it worth it?” Which is really no question at all.

Though I get tired at times, I am reminded that God loves PEOPLE. So much so, that no matter HOW many people happen to be together in one place, God is ALWAYS pushing for MORE! ‘Go get them and bring them in,’ He says over and over in His Word. Implied is the command to go, care, invest, give, reach, love and then do it again tomorrow. He ALWAYS calls us to be just like Him.

The more I yield my life to Him, the more God reveals to me that He is in the PEOPLE business. Praying for, or doing anything that is not an investment in people is simply a selfish waste of time. Which is TOUGH for people who like order, quiet, peace or their own way! The more we love His people, the more He will increase His reward of MORE of them to our fold. And isn’t that His point?

Lord… please send me to reach out to people who need YOU! No matter the cost!