Faithful foundation

It’s hard to comprehend how my parents did it all. When I look back, everything seemed to run so smoothly. Dad worked two, sometimes three, jobs as a millwright at the local sawmills. I remember burying myself in his warm hugs as he came home, the scent of sawdust and machinery on his clothes. He must have been exhausted from his long day, yet he always had time for his family.
Mom worked tirelessly as a dry cleaner in the local laundromat, taking great pride in her work – especially when she cleaned the uniforms of the local law enforcement. It was her quiet way of saying thank you for their protection. She, too, came home with the lingering scent of solvents, and I’m sure she was just as tired. But she never let that stop her from providing the love and care only she could give.
Despite the demands of their work, the house was always clean, the meals always homemade, and the garden always perfect. Somehow, they made time for us, setting aside days for family outings and moments of togetherness. They did it all, and they did it with love, strength, and grace that never seemed to waver.
Hindsight truly is 20-20. It has a way of filtering out the hard times of life and leaving one with the good memories and the lessons learned. I know there were hard times; however, I choose to focus on the good with gratitude for my parents’ work keeping us healthy and happy. It is easy to praise our parents for the labor of their hands. We were a family, we were loved, and we were a home.
The Apostle Paul writes that we are called to continually offer our Heavenly Father sacrifices of praise as we recognize the goodness of His name and works (Hebrews 13:15-16). We are reminded that our lives are not limited to the physical realm but also a spiritual kingdom within the church. Just as my parents faithfully built a home grounded in love, care, and service, we are called to build a spiritual home within the church – a community that thrives on shared worship, acts of kindness, and mutual support.
The physical upkeep of a home requires consistent effort, but so does the nurturing of our spiritual family. We are meant to contribute to the well-being of the Body of Christ, offering praise, doing good works, and building one another up in faith (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Just as my parents’ love for our family never grew weary, so we must not grow weary in doing good within the church. When we “do good,” we help create a spiritual home where God’s presence is felt, and His people are encouraged to grow in faith.
The work of home and church is a daily commitment that extends beyond Sunday to incorporate the entire week. By reflecting on the love of God, we create an atmosphere of praise that invites our Heavenly Father to draw near. The Psalmist writes that the Lord inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). When we offer praise, we honor the legacy of faith and service within the Body of Christ, united in His love. We become family, the church becomes our home, and His Kingdom becomes our vision of eternity.
Galatians 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Cheryl Mixon-Cruce is Pastor of Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Church and Sopchoppy United Methodist Church.