Like many families, our kids are somewhat scattered, each of them has developed their own local relationships. The chance to visit and share in their activities is in direct relationship to their distance away from us. Family and the relationships it provides are important to the human condition. Everyone needs that interpersonal connection and find a way to fill that void if it exists. For Suzanne, a local sewing group aids in that process, a golf league for me, but together, our church family plays the biggest role in filling that void.

Being greeted cheerfully and warmly by family is how it’s supposed to be, despite your faults, it brings a special feeling inside and that’s how church family is. Whether on a cold Sunday morning or a casual passing on the street, the concern for your personal well being is heartfelt. Church social events also help fill that need, swapping stories, sharing life’s difficulties, and laughing at it all, help to provide that needed release.

Our church recently held a game night with casual conversation, pizza, and BINGO on the agenda. I’m not a big bingo fan but that’s not why we were here, being with family was. As the night progressed, and my luck at bingo became apparent, the final two games of the night were announced, four corners and total card.

As each of those games progressed, it became obvious to me that a specific number on my card had never been called the entire evening. Located on my card at the bottom left corner, that number was not my lucky one.

As the final ‘fill the entire card’ finished with an excited individual yelling BINGO, I asked the number caller to satisfy my curiosity and continue till the remaining six or so numbers were called. . . B-12, N-39, G-46 . . . . . Realizing that my missing number had never been called, I asked for further investigation. Finally, our pastor found the elusive number at the bottom of the Game Tub, and she announced “I found it, B-13” to which everyone in attendance heard my reaction – BINGO!

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus

Philippians 2:5