Make Sure You are Part of the Family

February 24, 2025

Chaplain LaVina “Viny” Burns

Sitting here in the quietness of the morning, I am listening to George Younce sing the old song he penned, “Suppertime”. I was not privileged to get to know my father’s mother very well, but that was her favorite song. She was a large woman and at age 54 the doctors found a tumor inside her that was the size of a football. However, no one ever knew it. She passed away shortly after the surgery to remove it and had requested the song, “Suppertime” to be sung at her funeral. We did not attend the funeral, but every time I hear the song, she comes to mind. I really wish I could have known her. Her love for the Lord must have brought on the love for the song as it talks about going Home (Heaven), being called by her Heavenly Father, and looking forward to the banquet table being prepared for the Supper of the Lamb!

My mother’s mom was well known by me, and I loved her dearly. She was what every child longs for in a grandmother. A funny memory was when she would step outside her kitchen door and call for my grandfather. We could hear her saying, “Daaaadeeee, Suppertime. Daaaa deeee”. Her voice would go high as she pronounced the “dy” and it would drag on. When our own mom would tell one of us to call the other siblings to supper, we would mimic my grandmother as we thought that was so funny to hear. She too loved the song, “Suppertime”. I do not know what was sung at her homegoing celebration as we could not attend it, but I am guessing someone sang the song.

The difference between the two grandmothers was one was known, and one was not. Yet, both were loved! How do we love someone we do not know? Because we are family! God knows us and we have His example of loving family! No, our blood family may not always do what we think they should or show their love, but we love them despite actions because they are who they are!

On the other hand, I look back at the many times we have moved with the military and ministry! It is not a number short of MANY!! Yet, the first thing we look for is a church family. Without a church family we would be lonely!! The church suppers are nothing more than fellowshipping with the family in food, fun, and fellowship! A cowboy church just down from our church holds dear friends and once a month they get together after church and eat. They call it Eating Sunday. I love it. I will notice the interaction of the women on FB that says, “Don’t forget it is Eating Sunday this week.” They are calling the family together. I know I am welcome to join the family to come and sit at the table with them and there are many I do not know. But they are loved! Anyone that has accepted Jesus as their Savior is family!

This blog is for ALL week long. This is a busy week as I have luncheons with different ones. We are gathering around the table because we are family! They are loved whether well known or not! The love that Jesus puts within our heart for one another is amazing. And YES, one day we will hear the words, Come Home it’s Suppertime! In the meantime, let us enjoy one another and our place in the Family of God.

“Many years ago in days of childhood, I used to play ‘til evening shadows come.

Then winding down an old familiar pathway, I heard my mother call at set of sun,

"Come home, come home, it's suppertime"

The shadows lengthen fast, "Come home, come home, it's suppertime"

We're going home at last.

Vision is now, I see her standing yonder and her familiar voice I hear once more.

The banquet table's ready up in Heaven Oh, it's suppertime upon the golden shore.

Come home, come home, it's suppertime

The shadows lengthen fast. Come home, come home, it's suppertime

We're going home at last.” By George Younce

Revelation 19:7, “Let us be glad and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb, and His wife has made herself ready.”

Make sure you are part of the family! Not an event you will want to miss out on!