Plans to Reunite

Written By Betty Predmore

ROMANS 15:23 - 16:9

(August 2)

I love going "home" to the place where I spent my little girl years, surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins, and a granny that was so dear to me. And while I have lived other places much longer than I ever lived there, it is still "home", it is still where my heart is.

I haven't been there in a while. Life has gotten busy. I have moved across the country. Plans have been made, then cancelled. But my hope and intention is always to return. In fact, I was hoping to visit this month, but once again, life got in the way.

So, I keep up with them all on social media, along with an occasional phone call. Whenever I speak with one, I ask them to say hello to all the rest. Sometimes it sounds like a closing seen of The Waltons, with all the names that are spoken in my well wishes.

As we near the end of Romans, that is where we find Paul. He has been wanting to return to Rome, to visit those who have special meaning in his heart. He has been trying to get there, but his ministry has kept him away.

Something really cool had happened. The Gentiles in Jerusalem had collected a special offering for the church in Jerusalem, which had great financial need. Paul wanted to hand deliver this offering. He wanted to make sure everyone understood the importance of this exchange ... the unity of Jews and Gentiles in the church. Even though he was excited, he was also a little apprehensive, and he asked his Roman friends to pray for him.

He also asked about some specific friends. He talked about Phoebe, who was a Gentile Christian with wealth and influence. She was traveling to Rome on a business trip and Paul knew his believers in Rome would provide her with hospitality and fellowship.

He also asked them to greet Priscilla and Aguila. If you remember, they had risked their lives for him in the past and had become close friends to Paul. They had moved to Corinth when they, along with other Jews, had been expelled from Rome. When they met Paul there, they had invited him to share in their tentmaking business, and they shared their Christian knowledge with him.

Paul continued, asking for personal greetings to Epenetus, Mary, Andronicus and Junia, Ampliatus, Urbanus, and Stachys. All these names. All these people who had touched Paul's heart and became a part of his faith family.

No matter where we go or what we do, no matter the delays we encounter in the plans we make, we don't forget those who are special to us. We remember fondly the people from the places we call home.

And always, we make plans to reunite. If not here on earth, then in our eternal home in heaven.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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