Emphasis Preaching Journal

Harold and Nancy were brother and sister. They had been close as children. They maintained their closeness into adulthood. Their special relationship spilled over into their families. Their children thought of each other more as brothers and sisters than cousins. Then something happened. Harold and Nancy stopped talking to each other. Their children started fighting with each other. Soon no one was talking to the other. Their families were torn apart by anger, jealousy and sorrow. Years passed. The children grew up and began to develop their own interests. One of Harold's children, Eileen, began to sing in a Christian folk singing group called The Gospelite. That's when it happened. The Gospelite was singing at a morning worship service in a large city church. While they were singing a song about the peace of the Lord, Eileen and one of the other singers went down into the congregation to share the Lord's peace. Near the back of the church Eileen gave a small cry of discovery. There, seated in the very last pew, was Aunt Nancy. For the first time in 12 years they were standing face to face. With tears flowing down their faces Eileen and Nancy shared the Lord's peace. Reconciliation had begun. -- Conroy