Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Peculiar Society

I am a part of a peculiar society.

About 30 years ago, a group of college friends, who enjoyed one another's company, gathered for a weekend. That weekend was so pleasant, uplifting, and emotionally encouraging, it was decided to assemble together again the next year. Singles became couples. Couples produced offspring. The offspring grew, matured, and some of them married. One of the couples has become grandparents. There is a core group of 6 families, and this group (or some major fraction of it) has met at least annually for 30 consecutive years. That's peculiar.

What sort of things would a group of families do that would be so interesting, exciting, entertaining, and pleasurable that would compel them to meet together each year? Would it be exotic destinations or grand adventure? Would it be an agenda stuffed to the gills with thrilling activities? Would it involve alcoholic beverages? Not really. There have been a few modest recreational pursuits like volleyball, fishing, boating, hiking, and horseback riding. There have been a large volume of card games and domino tournaments, and there have been an enormous number of community meals, in-between-meal-snacks, and desserts. But is this the kind of mini-vacation you would brag about to your co-workers back at the office? Probably not. To some, it would be a bit embarrassing, a bit peculiar.

There's more. These families, when given the chance to get away from it all, to shuck-off day-to-day duties and responsibilities, to go away somewhere where no one knows who they are and "let their hair down", seem even more peculiar. When they get together, they talk about what God wants. They read the Bible together, share their individual concerns, problems, and weaknesses...and they pray. They encourage one another to be more God-like, to continue in doing good, and to offer help to meet the needs of each one. Then they sing. Yep, mighty peculiar.

Not only do they sing, but they sing hymns. The voices of ordinary people, with no instrumental accompaniment, blend together in time and in four-part harmony like the heavenly voices of angels. They sing of work, and they sing of devotion. They sing of transformation, and affirmation. They sing of grace, or faith, and adoring praise. They sing of heaven until their voices wear out. A peculiar practice these days.

Yes, these annual reunions involve peculiar activities of peculiar people. In this group of six families, all six are built on marriages to original spouses. All marriages have lasted 27 years or longer. All marriages are happy marriages. All of these families have experienced enormous challenges and various forms of hardship, yet they are strong, grateful, and joyful. How often can you go to a random sample of six families and find these qualities?

Oh yeah. This is not a random sample after all. This is a group of devoted christians...a peculiar society, and an indescribable joy.

4 comments:

  1. Great post.

    I too belong to that peculiar society, and I know of the benefits and wonder of which you speak. Tomorrow, I celebrate 9 years of marriage to my beautiful wife (I'm only 30) and this weekend we are off to our annual church camp out, where we'll have a blast and a half, and simply enjoy each other company and encouragement. This year, our pastor asked if I'd bring my guitar to help lead some worship around the fire.

    There are many incredible families in our church, and we're not perfect, but we have incredible joy, and getting together, enjoying the company of each other and each other's families, is one of the most relaxing, encouraging and enjoyable things.

    Brother, you have written very well on the aspect of this peculiar society, this, family. It's a beautiful thing.

    Cheers,

    Jeremy

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  2. ...where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

    Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

    Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24

    Next time y'all get together you should ask for something, fully expecting to receive.

    And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12

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  3. Jerome, happy anniversary! It is very good to hear someone with good things to say about his wife.

    George, you are welcome.

    Anon, we have, and we do, and we will continue as you have suggested.

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