“To All Concerned and Some Unconcerned Parties as applicable, Whereas certain parties have established personal and social attachments to other parties and said parties are geographically dispersed throughout hither and yon. All parties being cognizant of said social and personal attachments as understood and agreed upon by said parties, having taken no actions to remove previously stated personal and social attachments from other parties.
Wherefore all parties are obliged during times of calamity and woe that aforementioned parties under potential or possible affect of said calamity and woe should make reasonable efforts to contact parties as mentioned in previous paragraph. Therefore communications should be forthwith from potentially and possibly affected members of all parties.”
I wrote that somewhat humorous notice to my friends and family when I was assigned in Moscow and many of my Foreign Service friends were scattered around the world. Whenever I heard of a problem in their part of the world, I would try to find out if they were ok. I also have friends and family back in the US and my wife has family in the Philippines. I wanted them to notify us sooner. It didn’t work very well and I still find myself reaching out to them. I understand if they are dealing with a problem, notifying me isn’t high on their to-do list. In most cases they are unaffected and/or unaware of the problem I am concerned about. That happened to me when something bad would happen in Russia and I had to explain how big Russia is and how far the problem was from me.
I was concerned and wanted to know if my friends and family were in trouble or not. My concerns were not unfounded. One friend was murdered, another collapsed and died while running and yet another was in a coma after a car accident, all were diplomats and living overseas. Those and many other friends and family went through serious situations and I wanted to be there for them, even if only by e-mail and prayers.
That is something like the relationship GOD wants with us. He “gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). He forgave our sins so we could become part of His family. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1 KJV).
He values our relationship and wants us to stay close. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7 KJV). GOD and His Word are one and He wants us to live in Him and let Him live in us. If we are that close, we will ask and believe GOD will answer. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1 KJV).
It started with GOD the FATHER’s love, is fulfilled through GOD the SON’s death on the cross and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT is calling on you to accept this wonderful offer. Be advised, it’s a great offer. Please don’t wait until it’s too late.
Wayne Lance (2019)