READ: PSALM 133
How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony. (V. 1)
Playing in a charity golf tournament with the Chief of my former department, we encountered another group of active and retired officers on the tee box of an adjoining hole. Immediately the Chief said to one of the players, a current officer known for his outspoken ways, “Scott, seeing you is like having a slice of heaven on earth.” Scott, who was getting ready to retire, had caused the Chief a few headaches over the past few years, but the remark, made in a lighthearted manner, showed the respect the men had for each other. While not on the same page on certain issues, both men were in complete harmony in their professional dedication to the department and the community. After additional bantering and a good laugh, we continued enjoying our time together raising funds for our injured and fallen Brothers and Sisters.
The Chief’s “slice of heaven comment,” although made in jest, caused me to think of the times I was blessed to experience a little bit of heaven on earth. Keeping with the golf theme, each year I look forward to playing 18 holes of golf with four men from my Sunday School class in a church sponsored event. Although we come from different backgrounds; vocations; life stories; and play golf at various levels; we gather in the harmony of our faith to enjoy the round. The day is marked by humor and behaviors flowing from our deep heartfelt respect for each other and is a highlight of my summer. Of course, my life has been touched with other “slices of heaven moments” that have left permanent imprints on my character and spiritual being. These include my 58-year marriage to the woman God sent to bless, enhance and share my life; the birth of my daughters and watching them grow into women of love and faith; the birth of each of my grandchildren and observing their maturation from children into fine young adults; and finding churches, pastors and friends who have helped me strengthen my relationship with Christ. These, and other life-sustaining events, were made possible by the spirit of harmony that is precious in the sight of God.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
My heavenly slices of life directly correlate to the love, peace, joy and unity that continually manifest themselves through my relationship with Christ. God gives us views of heaven if we simply seek to live in harmony with those he lovingly places in our path. The size of your slices depends upon your faith-based field of vision.
Dear Jesus, help me foster harmony in all my relationships so that I truly experience “A Slice of Heaven on Earth.”