Your Open Word e-Devotional for November 16th

Published: Wed, 11/16/16

Hello ,

The picture above is one that was taken of my three children in 2003. I was a pastor in Southwest, North Dakota and as I look back at this photo I realize that a great of experiences have happened since we took this photo. The little girl in the middle is my daughter Maddie. Growing up, she was a somewhat shy, tender-hearted child who loved animals, books, and spending time with her friends. Here is a picture of her and I that was taken a couple of years ago:

I really love being a dad, and it has been a huge adjustment for me (and for my wife as well), to have our children growing up and leaving the nest. The little boy (my son Michael) is now almost 18, he's a senior in high school, and I cherish every blessed moment that I have him home. He's an outdoors kind of guy, and he loves people. Here's a picture of him and I while we were recently doing a ministry together:

The young lady on the right of the photo of my three children is Taylor. She's now 23, is married, and is living about 3 hours away from my wife and I. Here's a picture of me walking her down the aisle at her wedding...right before I performed the wedding ceremony. What a precious young lady she is.

They have all grown so much, and their mother (Roberta) and I couldn't be more proud. Here's a picture of my wife and I. It's hard to believe that we are now parents of adults.

So, why did I show you all these pictures of my family (besides the fact that I'm proud of them)? I wanted to make a point that is heavy on my heart. I miss my family being together. It seems like only yesterday that these children were small, and suddenly...they're all grown up.

But next week, we're going to be reunited. Together, we're going to sit around the family table, hold hands, and thank our Heavenly Father for all the many blessings that He has given to us.

It wouldn't be the same if one of them was gone.

Yes, we would still probably have dinner together, but there's something about having the entire family together that makes everything seem complete again. If it's that way here on earth, I've always wondered how God must feel when He sees children that He created that don't want to come home.

The heavenly reunion is the most important reunion ever!

I'll risk sounding melodramatic when I say the following: Heaven isn't going to be the same if you aren't there! As sad and tragic as it can feel when our own families don't show up to holiday events, it's even more of a travesty to think that any of us might miss that heavenly reunion. God wants us all to be together...so much!

Next week is Thanksgiving here in the United States. I hope that this e-Devotional finds you well, and that you are able be truly thankful for all the things that God has given to you. I also hope that you have made your plans to be in heaven some day. It's going to be a wonderful reunion.

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word