October 23, 2025 The Circus Comes to Town
14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us,
15 abolishing the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace,
16 and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. Ephesians 2:14-16, NRSV
As we move towards year-end holidays, does this look like one of your family gatherings?
Over three hours, my sister's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren trickled in for our Thanksgiving holiday 2024. We were all together for the first time in how long? All but two grandchildren. One who, by phone, did check in to share his adventure of driving into a cloud at the peak of the Appalachian Mountains on his way to dinner at a friend's home, and the other who was pregnant and serving in the Air Force while stationed in Kansas.
Chaos filled the day. We watched five-year-old Isaiah chase the retriever, who let him get within arm’s reach before running away across the yard. A newborn stirred in her dad's arms, wailing for her bottle, while mom sat at the table, exhausted from sleepless nights and now enjoying a brief respite over a plate full of turkey, dressing, and broccoli rice casserole.
Four-year-old Layla, wearing her short sleeve white cotton dress with black leggings, went from adult to adult for a welcome hug before collapsing in tears in a corner when Mom would not allow her more cartoon screen time on Mom's phone. Heartbroken until Uncle Mason scooped her up in his arms, and walked outside to introduce her to the playful retriever.
Messes needed sweeping after one-year-old Knox knocked green beans and dressing crumbs to the floor when he grabbed for his food to get at it faster than Dad offered it.
Football played on the 60-inch screen, muted but capturing the attention of fans sitting on the couch; latecomers filled their plates for a second meal after visiting other relatives earlier; a daughter braided her mother's long blonde tresses.
Pockets of conversation gathered throughout the kitchen, dining room, and living room. Conversations about the frustrations with doctors’ inability to specifically predict the degree of their baby's blindness in the future. Stories of new jobs and next jobs in construction. Stories of current jobs and the realities of serving as a Border Patrol agent. Shared experiences of engagements, first semesters at college, and dreams of earning a degree as a physician's assistant.
By late afternoon, twenty-nine of us, both adults and children, filled every inch of the house. It felt like the circus had come to town. Laughter and tears, barking and cheering, plates clattering and stories spilling from room to room. Yet in the middle of the noise, I sat still, quietly amazed as God wove all the beautiful chaos into something holy … a family, gathered and whole, if only for a moment.
That’s what true community looks like. It’s messy and marvelous, full of different voices and imperfect hearts drawn together by one Spirit. It’s the Church. The Church where God unites us not by sameness, but by shared devotion to His Word, His Son, and His call to love one another.
When we make room for each other, we make space for God to dwell among us.
Reflect: Where in your life is God inviting you to lean into community, even when it feels chaotic, inconvenient, or imperfect?
Pray: Lord, thank You for the gift of community—family, friends, and faith companions who remind us of Your love. Teach us to make space for others and to see Your presence in the beautiful mess of togetherness. Amen.
By His Grace,
Gloria Ashby
Lay Leader