There are ten of us, first cousins, from my maternal side of the family. My brother and I lived a six-hour drive away from the other eight cousins and their families.  Dad worked long hours and rarely took off, but most summers we would make the six-hour trip to my grandmother’s for a family reunion.  Cousin time, whoo hoo!  Let the fun begin! Sixty plus years later, we are all still mentally “with it” and able to connect on Zoom and even occasionally have in person visits. Memories and time together, the BEST!

Jesus had an eclectic group of His inner circle, some even brothers and cousins.  They followed Him learned from Him and I feel certain felt honored to be included. From Biblical readings do you think their shared time was wonderful? Do you think they had reunions to reminisce about their shared times with our Lord and Savior?

I am all about family and feel so blessed to have wonderful cousins and an awesome brother.  Our memories are wholesome and loving.  Blessed are we!

The disciples shared such a short time with Jesus, only a few years, but they loved Him and learned so much. They were instructed to go share the Good News.  As they parted ways after the crucifixion, the reunions and time to reminisce never happened.  Judas, for his betrayal of Jesus, hung himself. James, son of Zebedee, was executed by King Herod.  Other disciples traveled, shared the Good News and paid heavy prices with their untimely, deaths and martyrdom for sharing the Good News of the Messiah.

Do you have a circle of close friends? Cousins? Siblings? Keep your ties close, even if distance separates you. Make wonderful memories.  Share the good times and include Jesus in your plans.  Keep Him a part of your unit of love.  He is the reason for your joy-filled times.  He loves us unconditionally.  Each disciple treasured their time with our Lord, enough to leave their former lives behind and go out to the ends of the earth to spread the Good News, even to losing their lives for it.

What ever time we are given, fill it with Christ at the helm and make your memories meaningful.  Make the effort to connect with others, family, friends, community.  With Christ as your center, the love and memories you create will fill your hearts.

Jill