“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:25 ESV).
For years, Friday nights in the Hunt household was called Friday Family Fun night. We played board games, card games, watched a show, and at times, invited some friends over to join us for some fun and games. As our kids got older, this became less of a thing. We did youth group ministry on Fridays (more games!). Christian worked on Friday nights. Amanda went off to university. And so on. Due to the current virus, Christian has been laid off, Amanda has been sent home from school. Friday nights come around, and we are all here. We have had some games nights the last few weeks, but I kinda miss inviting friends over. So, yesterday, I did just that. I also invited our family over to their house.
I am sure you are thinking, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!—wondering if I’m one of the fools our premier ranted about yesterday. (For the record, I think his rant was milder than I would have given). Let me explain the idea I had for a game night, which went extremely well, in my opinion. We invited the Shaars to join us over Facebook messenger for a game of Dominion (currently our favourite game). They have a copy of the same game, so they set it up at their end, and we set it up at our end. It's a deck-building game, so there is nothing hidden, and it’s easy enough to play over video chat. The games went very well, and we had some Friday Family Fun! I will not tell you which pastor won the first game, or which pastor’s wife won the second. I even took a selfie.
I’ve missed this of late. I’ve missed the laughter, smiles, joking with others. I am considered high-risk, medically, so I have had absolutely zero contact with the outside world, other than by video/phone/(e)mail. We tried Zoom last Wednesday for our Bible study, and it went OK. We still have some kinks to work out, but it’s better than being alone! (Send me a private message if you would like to join this Wednesday group – what else do you have to do Wednesday nights?) We studied Hebrews 10, and the writer asked us to “consider how to stir up one another to love” (ESV). We have some technology available for this “how.” We are missing out on fellowship, and God has created us in His image. Yes, we get to fellowship with our family, and even those who are home alone can fellowship with the Christ. And some would say that should be enough, but we know it's not. We need fellowship with each other. Paul gives us wise instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:14.
“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (NIV).
There are little things we can do for each other, to help those who are idle and to encourage the disheartened. Something as small as enjoying some games together over video chat. We have a few that can be played this way: Dominion, Scattergories, Balderdash, Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit, Things, and Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? (to name a few). Do you want to play? But NOT Scrabble. Definitely, NOT Scrabble!
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Prov. 17:7 NIV).