"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure." I John 3:1-3 NIV
This summer, my husband and I traveled to Ohio for my 40th high school reunion. I had a feeling it was going to be a fun, eye-opening experience. After all, 40 years is a long time. Our class had moved beyond the teenage years of the late sixties, into midlife, edging closer to retirement. We all had one thing in common: Life had changed us.
The first night, conversations buzzed around the registration tables as we stole glances at the 1969 graduation picture on each alum's name tag. Without them, we would've wandered among a roomful of strangers. Once the connection was made between the person standing in front of us, and the face on the reunion badge, shrieks of laughter and disbelief would erupt. "I can't believe it! It can't be!" And so it went with person after person. There was sheer joy in our moments of recognition. There were handshakes and hugs, smiles and tears, as friends reunited for a walk down memory lane.
Life had been kinder to some than others. The innocent faces of our youth had been transformed into expressions of maturity. The young persons who had filed across the stage to accept a graduation diploma at Memorial Hall, were not the same people who entered the banquet room for the 40th reunion. An eloquent opening prayer offered by a woman who now pastors a church brought tears to my eyes. Another woman delivered a stirring welcome speech about yesteryear and today. No longer were we giddy, awkward teens, unsure of who we were or where we were going. We'd earned knowledge, confidence, and experience.
Homecoming beauties, like the rest of us gals, had grown into middle aged women with graying hair and crow's feet, flawless complexions were now furrowed with worry lines, and sports stars had thicker waistlines and thicker glasses. Many had been through college, several marriages, raised children, lost spouses or parents, and delighted in grandchildren. Some classmates headed up companies and excelled in their fields; while sadly, some shared stories of hardship, addiction, and survival. Time had etched its invisible current on our faces, as well as our lives. As I watched the group enjoy each other's company, I realized that we seemed kinder, more caring men and women now. We had come together as friends who longed to see each other, and catch up with each other's lives.
I found myself staring at the names of classmates in my program who had passed away. Some had been stricken by diseases, and others had been killed in tragic accidents or the Vietnam War. Another page was devoted to those for whom no contact information was known. I wondered how many had fallen into hopelessness and homelessness. Some had quietly slipped into the sea of humanity without a trace.
After the stellar dinner celebration, the ballroom filled with the popular music of 1969 and the late '60's. Those of us (who were able) danced up a storm! We were a harmonious group, a group who really belonged to the Class of 1969. There were no apparent divisions, no racial tensions that marked the '60's. We had grown up, grown wiser, and outgrown our childish ways. We were having a ball, and everyone was welcome to join in the fun!
When we left my hometown the next day, I replayed the reunion events in my mind... We'd been genuinely happy to see other, and the tears that glistened in our eyes when we parted were heartfelt. None of us knew if we would ever see each other again ... in this life anyway.
Of course, friends, there were many Believers there. We always have a way of finding each other, don't we? The high school gathering reminds me of the jubilant reunion that we as Believers can look forward to someday. I can only imagine the shouts of sheer joy when people we have known and loved and lost in this earthly life, come running to meet us in heaven. That is going to be a great day! And the best part is, we'll have eternity to enjoy each other, and never have to say good-bye ever again. Praise the Lord!
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