The Crown and the Thorn - Faith Based Blog

The Class Reunion 

I recently attended my class reunion. It had been a minute. When I arrived, I recognized some of my classmates. Others were, and still, remain a mystery. I sat at a table where I knew a few people fairly well, and took a good look around. 

They wrote their stories on their faces the same as I did. Some had cocktails, some had water. Some had never left town; others had traveled hundreds of miles. 

The “clicks” had found each other. Many had stayed in touch. There were still loners, die-hards who tried to recapture the bloom of youth, and a few who looked like they wished they hadn’t come at all. 

One friend was talking about her spiritual journey. I listened closely. She was devout, sincere and open with her sharing. Her life had not been easy, but her faith had seen her through. Others near her had stopped listening, and turned to other conversations. 

Dinner was served. She and I, and two others said grace. We talked about our years apart until dessert was served. Then came the tribute to those classmates who had gone before us. 

A table, dressed in black held senior photos of our fallen friends. A lot had died years before, many more recently. I didn’t know about most of them passing until that day. 

Looking around through tear-filled eyes, I wondered why I hadn’t kept in touch, why I hadn’t made a greater effort to connect to a few of them. 

The evening ended too soon, and I knew I wouldn’t go back to another reunion. That chapter of my life had closed. I had lost the opportunity to grow up with a chosen few of my classmates, to attend their weddings, to see their children born. Of course, I promised a couple of people I would now stay in touch, and I’ll try. I’ll probably fail. 

I began to wonder if we do the same with Jesus. Do we turn Him on and off like a faucet week to week, month to month, year to year? Full force on hot when we are in trouble, we call on Him to fix our lives. We thank Him fervently for his help if that happens. We accept with lukewarm response if it doesn’t meet our expectations. We turn a cold shoulder towards Him if He ignores our requests, our pleas, or our outcomes for help. 

Unlike the classmates we leave behind, Jesus doesn’t move on and forget us. He awaits our prayers. He watches over us. He protects us with, or without our communication. Why then, are many of us so wrapped up in our daily lives that we forget Him? As Believers, we must remember, this is our TEMPORARY home. Keep that in mind every day. 

Do we make prayers a priority? Do we give thanks when things go wrong, for that’s when our faith is tested? Are we afraid to face the hard times? Isn’t that when He truthfully carry us through? Millions like myself can testify to this fact. We are NOT ALONE.

I can’t tell you why some of my classmates didn’t make it to my reunion. I can’t tell you why others didn’t choose to come. I can’t even tell you why only a few of us thanked Jesus for our meal. What I can tell you is it took me a while to figure out after high school. I still don’t have all the answers, but I know who does. I remember who gave His life for me, what he sacrificed, and what He suffered. 

I don’t perseverate about my class reunion. It was a memorable milestone in a long history of memorable nights. What makes this one different I suppose if I saw these people when they were children, teens, and then as senior citizens – unless, of course, they were among those whose photos lined the black tablecloths. 

I was amazed at how many never left the area. I was further amazed at how many had kept in touch. I had done neither. I wanted to do better with that. 

It’s been a year now, and I still communicate with a few classmates. I wrote times down to call in my calendar and called when they were available. I paid attention to time differences. I remembered family members’ names. 

It’s easier with Jesus. He’s always there. We don’t need a special event to talk with Him. We can be “gone” for years, and He’s still waiting for you. He remembers you. You can talk anytime. You can mingle in the memories of childhood, teen, middle age, and yes, senior citizen. You can even wait until you get close to the ‘black cloth’ table – but I pray you won’t. 

Jesus isn’t looking for perfection; He has that. He’s looking for you – just as you are. He’s already died for the things you’ve done, and yes, the things you haven’t done…yet. He knows when you’ll die, and prayerfully, when you’ll join Him. 

Don’t wait to start your relationship. It’s the best reunion you’ll ever make –and you’ll never leave it! 

OR….Blessings from the Thorn to The Crown