Our common theme is Jesus!

Buns are selling out fast at the wholesalers as 3 different women dump literally hundreds into their trolleys, looking as though they are about to re-enact the feeding of the 5,000, only without the miracle part, (now wouldn't that make catering easier!). 'It's our church BBQ this weekend' I say to one lady, by way of explanation for the contents of my trolley, 'Oh, ours too!' she replies. The third lady gave a knowing smile as though she too had been tasked with The Shopping for her church BBQ. My son (2) is 'helpfully' passing up the buns and I get worried that he is going to get squashed by a laden trolley in what is now a very cramped corner of the warehouse. The task is slow but finally we are pleased that our sell by dates are reasonable and that our sausage/burger/bap/finger roll ratio is satisfactory given that we are guessing the numbers of people who will be there depending on whether the sun is out or not - it is a complex equation. If we had visited the bun corner only minutes later there may have been none left and that would have constituted a Big Problem, phew!

The Vicar and I

I love many things about being married to the Vicar (as well as loving the Vicar, of course), and one of the them is being able to open my house and garden to our Church family. Today a good chunk of our church got together for the BBQ in the Vicarage garden. The garden was packed with people chatting, playing, eating and laughing. Friendships are being made and deepened. All generations are represented and are interacting together. People from many nations are present. Our backgrounds, our intellects, our bank accounts, our marital status have no particular common theme. Our common theme is Jesus, He has wooed each of us and won us by His love. His love is unconditional and is extended to all who will take hold of it. That is why we are family. Each of us has been adopted by our dear heavenly Father, and we are in the family that bears His name. We are all children of God, how awesome is that! In all our diversity He is our common theme.

I'm sure the ladies I linked eyes with at the wholesalers also had a great time at their BBQs. They're part of the family as well, you know. Our family is a big one, really big, joyously big. All over the world big.  But we long for others to come join us, we're hungry for new brothers and sisters to come and get adopted too. There are many rooms in my Father's house, and He wants to prepare one for you.

I looked around today and I thanked God for the privilege of having such an amazing family, it warms my heart so much, (especially when they help with the clearing up at the end of the day, which they did, brilliantly.) Thanks y'all! Love ya!