Several years ago, I had ancestry.com run my DNA. It revealed my descendants are 64% English, 12% Irish, nine percent Germanic, and bits and pieces from several other countries.
About the same time, I saw an ad offering to make me a “lord” and Mary Ella a “lady,” if we’d buy property in Scotland. For 10 square feet — and a planted tree — we’d have our titles. Then I remembered Mary Ella’s aunt said they were descended from Mary Queen of Scots!
I bit — rather bought it for Christmas. So, maybe I own 10 square feet of land in Scotland? Or maybe I only own a framed certificate declaring me a “lord” and Mary Ella a “lady.”
And maybe I’ll get to move to the head of the line somewhere if I tell them I’m a “lord” and Mary Ella is a “lady?” Or maybe it’s nothing at all? But we’ve enjoyed the fantasy!
In any case, family is important, and we try to attend the Whatley reunion on a farm near Auburn, Ala. every August, but we missed this year. The first time we attended, we sat at the “Outlaw Whatley’s” table and wondered if we were in the right place.
Then Al and Jim ran up to us with a dozen boys who shared their names “Charles” Alfred and “James” Andrew. Suddenly we knew we were in the right plac with family.
Later, we were signed up for my high school reunion, but it was delayed by a hurricane. That’s another sort of family, and we’ve been anticipating it for nearly a year, but something came up and we were unable to attend the rescheduled event. You noticed I gave neither the year of graduation nor the reunion.
There’s actually another family reunion I cannot and absolutely will not miss. Maybe you’ve seen the invitation in Revelation.
“Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Happy are those who have been invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.’ And the angel added, ‘These are the true words of God.’”
— Revelation 19: 10
It’s the ultimate reunion of those who love and obey God. And like all reunions, it’ll include a feast! I hope to see you there!
Charles “Buddy” Whatley is a retired United Methodist pastor serving Dawson Street Methodist Church in Thomasville, Ga.
