One of my memories growing up was of annual events that happened around the word ‘Reunion!’ Reunion time in my family meant attending three different events, one with my father’s family in Backbone State Park near Strawberry Point, Iowa. And the other side of his family had their reunion at a different time in the Hampton, Iowa area . And the third reunion was another branch of my father’s family over in Illinois. As a child, I thought these reunions very interesting but not so much fun. One of the reunions had lots of brothers and sisters of the rather large family enjoying each other with many stories of memories and getting acquainted with all the new kid additions to the family. I remember learning that another family named all their kids after the months and weather events of the year. April and May were a couple of the better names in my young opinion. What stood out most to me were some of the men who seemed a bit scary to young me! And I never could imagine naming a girl Gertie! What an undesirable name for a girl or for a grown woman! Trying to get everyone arranged for the annual group photo with the old Brownie camera was a big project. There are several pictures with all the kids sitting on the ground in a row in front of all the adults. We were so small in the picture, who could even tell who’s who when looking at the picture later? My favorite reunion was the one at Backbone because back then, the drive through the park was through many places where the streams flowed over the road. It was so much fun to have the water splash up on our hands that of course were hanging out of the car windows. Today, the water and streams are managed so that the chance of driving through water is rare! And no fun! For any of the reunions, I had to be careful and take only food I recognized from the long potluck tables of food. There were often dishes that could have meat in them that I knew I should not eat.
Recently we attended a new family reunion to make new memories and build new relationships and build on old relationships. While I wish it could become an annual event, I know it can’t be. Time, distance, and finances keep us from getting together as much as we would like. The place was decided upon, the house was found where nearly 20 adults and teens and kids could all sleep, eat, play, and get to know each other, again. It was such a fun time. I had hoped for this reunion for several years and it was wonderful to have it come true with only one member being absent, which made us sad. It reminded me how sad we will be if we get to heaven and realize that someone is missing. I never want that to happen. It was sad here, but it will be even more sad in heaven. Now we can have hope that a missing member can be with us at the next reunion. But in heaven the missing will remain missing. There will be no hope of a next reunion.
There was something fun for everyone! Some got to fly high in a hot air balloon ride. Some got to play games of pool and ping pong. There was a walk to a park and playground, several games of croquet, an evening of watermelon and smores, and a few 4th of July sparkles to end our fun times together. The last morning, we spent time creating photo memories with our various groups—individual families, grandpa and grandkids, father and his sons, grandma and sons, all the possible combinations we could think of. Finally, it came time to get our hugs and then some more hugs. Goodbyes when you know that the days apart will be many become very hard. I long for the day when there will be no more goodbyes!
Sometimes you have an unplanned surprise meeting of a former acquaintance when you are out shopping for groceries, and you joyfully interact. It no longer is just an ordinary shopping day. That day had a special surprise in it for you. You had a reunion! Perhaps you arrange for and schedule for a time of reunion with a close friend, you meet for lunch and spend an afternoon catching up on all the news of your families. A reunion isn’t a time for popping in and then leaving. You spend time with one another in a true reunion. We have a reunion every seven days—with Jesus! We come to church to spend time with Him. We don’t just pop in and pop out and leave—generally! God wants to get to know us. He wants us to come to Him and worship with Him. He wants us to tell Him our joys and our sorrows. He wants to see how we have grown; He wants to know how we love him and want to get to know Him better and better. The Sabbath day is a prearranged time to meet with Him. It is not accidental!
Reunions—both earthly family gatherings and the ultimate heavenly reunion with God—remind me of my deep longing and need for connection with my family, the need for some healing, and for my home. Our family reunions offer a glimpse of the eternal unity we are promised, and that encourages us to cherish our family and church family relationships and look forward to a perfect future with our loved ones.
Family reunions are a beautiful earthly reflection of the ultimate heavenly gathering. They remind us of our shared heritage, the grace required to overlook differences, and the hope of an eternal home where we will all be united in God’s presence. Family reunions on earth are not guaranteed to be successful; they should be precious gifts that allow us to celebrate shared history and memories and practice grace and to tolerate the changes each has made in their own life. As part of God’s forever family, we are called to love, support, and serve one another, reflecting the very love of God in a broken and fragmented disconnected world. Before heading to our reunion gatherings, everyone should pray for an open heart and then decide to take time to engage deeply with one a family member to learn about their life rather than debating differences.
The Bible frequently points to an eternal reunion in the future that far surpasses any earthly gathering. In Revelation 21:4, the scriptures assure me that God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more mourning, crying, or pain or leaving. It will be a gathering where all earthly flaws, divisions, and griefs are entirely gone. It is a wonderful promise and filled with anticipation.
“Lord, thank you for the people who are my life and the promise of a future where we will be together forever. Whether in my family today or in eternity, help us to love well, forgive deeply, and rest in the hope of Your presence.”
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” — Psalm 133:1 We spent parts of three days all living in one house! I didn’t hear one argument! We had unity! Only once did one little fellow feel like he was being left out of a game by the other kids. But the cousins had a great time playing together! When a family gathers, it brings together a beautiful mix of ages, personalities, and life experiences. Amidst the food, laughter, and catching up, you might bump into old quirks or generational differences. These moments offer an important spiritual lesson: we are called to show one another the same grace and patience that our Creator pours out on us daily. How wonderful when what God calls us to do seems to happen naturally! Family represents the very first community God established, acting as a training ground for love, forgiveness, and endurance. When we choose to love our extended family—despite our flaws and differences—we practice the unconditional love Jesus modeled for us. More important, earthly reunions are a tiny glimpse of a much greater, eternal family gathering. The Bible tells us of a future day when believers from every tribe, tongue, and nation will join together in the presence of their Heavenly Father. In that eternal home, there will be no more sorrow, pain, or distance—just a perfect, unending reunion with our Creator and our loved ones who have been resting waiting for God’s return.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of family and the joy of coming together. Give us the grace to love one another deeply, to forgive as You have forgiven us, and to always point one another toward You. As we celebrate our earthly ties, keep our hearts fixed on the promise of the ultimate heavenly reunion.
“Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” — Matthew 12:50 [46-50] As a believer in Christ, I am a child of God—and so is every other believer. This means all of us are spiritual brothers and sisters—no matter where we are throughout the world! And although we may be different from one another in some ways, we have a common heritage—we are rooted together in Christ. We have the same heavenly Father and the same goal: to do the Father’s will. As part of God’s forever family, we share in the same eternal inheritance that Jesus has secured for us through his death and resurrection.
Sometimes people say that biological family bonds are stronger than other relationships. Jesus declares that all who follow the Lord are part of his family, and this relationship lasts forever. In a world of many divisions, it’s good to be reminded of our family connection in Jesus. It’s also good to learn that we are called to serve God together, for we will be living in eternity with these family members from all nations and places!
The Best Family Reunion Ever—”There will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 (The Message)
Who would you like to talk to first in heaven? Of course, you’re going to meet and worship the Lord first. But who are you excited about seeing next? Every believer throughout history will be there. Would you like to talk to Moses? You can! How about Abraham or Mary or Paul? I don’t know about you, but I have some questions for Jonah. I’ll get to see famous people from all of Christian history and scientists and world leaders and people from every tribe and nation. I’m going to have all of eternity to talk with them! Can you imagine how emotional, how joyful this reunion is going to be?
Doesn’t it make you happy by the thought of being in the presence of Jesus and to be reunited with friends and family? We will see them again! There is no greater hope in life than a big family reunion for eternity! Many have family reunions. Some families live relatively close, so they see each other frequently. But in our family, we’re spread all around the country from coast to coast . Since we don’t see each other regularly, a family reunion is a very special time for us. We met and then came time to say goodbye. Earthly reunions all end that way, don’t they?
One day we will have a great family reunion unlike any other. It will be the ultimate reunion and will have several notable, distinct features, unlike any family reunion held here on earth: It will include all who have lived for Christ (believers). Some have been missing at other reunions. Some have died. Others couldn’t make it. There will be no financial or transportation problems getting to this reunion. No one will miss because they had to work. Sickness or disabilities won’t hinder. No one will be limited by cost.
Our “family” will be greatly expanded. Those who followed Christ will be there from every tribe and language and people and nation. The redeemed from all the ages will be at this reunion. Our common bloodline will be the divine, redeeming blood of Jesus Christ! We expect to finally get to meet many we have only connected with through email or online. We’ll meet the ones contacting us from closed countries who have experienced real persecution.
It will be in the loveliest location. It will far, far exceed any beautiful place on this earth. I’ve been to some very pretty beautiful areas where God the Creator made a masterpiece on earth. But this reunion will be in heaven. Best of all we will be with Christ. And this future reunion will be forever. No more tearful hugs of departure. No more, “See you next year”. In this ultimate reunion “we will be with the Lord forever.” Forever!—that will be the very best part.
Won’t it be wonderful to be there at that Reunion!