When Mary Farrar married William (Willie) Best on October 2, 1902, they had no idea that 124 years later 200 people would follow. Picture “1” Willie & Mary with their 5 “Best Kids”, Mary Ella, Josephine, Wilhena, Farrar (my mom) and Francis. These 2 generations are now gone but not forgotten.

In their lifetime they would experience the changes made in their lives and the lives of the generations that followed with… electricity, the telephone, airplanes, automobiles, indoor plumbing, refrigeration, the Great Depression, World War 1 for some, World War II, a man on the moon and of course, computers.

I remember my Aunt Josephine describing the impact on her 90^th birthday. As she rocked on the high back porch that held 15 rocking chairs, a television reporter from Jackson, MS asked her, “What is the greatest change you have experienced in your lifetime?” She said,  “Time!” “My children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, with all their modern conveniences have no time. When they come here (Pond, MS) they are always in a hurry. When we grew up, we cooked on a wood stove. We washed our clothes by hand, we raised all our food except salt, flour, sugar, coffee, and a few other staples. But we always had time for friends and family. On Saturday nights we played cards. After church, we would stop along the way to visit friends. We worked hard but we had time for friends & family.”

This choice of time was a deep-rooted core value of the family. The “Best kids” got together often, except during planting & harvest season either in Carlisle, AR or Pond, MS. The laughter & excitement started when they met in the driveway. It was like we had not seen each other in years. It was pure joy. Unpacking was simple. And of course, we brought homemade pies & cakes along with a chicken leg or 2 left over from the trip. Simple & uncomplicated.

Being together happened in two places. In the living room with chairs circling around the room and overflowing ash trays with layers of cigarette smoke. The other was the dining room with a table that seemed to groan from the delicious food from the “Best” kitchens. But it was the conversations that lasted for hours…that went from one room to another that I cherish. Conversation wrapped in love & laughter… never anger or ill feelings.

The Best kids (Mary Ella, Josephine, Wilhena, Farrar and Francis) shared life in the raw together. Looking back, I recognize it was their love & trust for each other and their love and trust for Jesus that was the difference maker. It wasn’t that they didn’t have hard times or a shallow pool of resources…it was that they focused on what they did have… each other and Jesus. And they chose to focus and be thankful for what they had! They nurtured this love with one thing, time… Time with the Lord and each other.

Last weekend many of the 200 members of the Willie & Mary Best family gathered for the Best Biennial Family Reunion at  DeGray Lodge. Picture “2” are some of the 125 grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and great-great-great grandchildren. Picture “3” is shone with spouses that married into the Best Family. All have stories.

Our reunion has kept the family tradition of laughter & storytelling. This weekend my cousin Kirk, Mary Ella’s son, told a great one. Kirk grew up in the small farming town of Carlisle Arkansas. He played trumpet in the band and played football. At half time he took off his football helmet, put on his band hat, and marched with the band in his football uniform. He and 2 other of his buddies thought nothing of it. This story reflects just one of the Core Values of the “Best Kids” passed down through the ages…”Make Do.” I remember so many times when mother and my aunts & uncle were together, they laughed, told wonderful stories, and ended it all with, “We didn’t have much but we “Made Do” and had each other.”

As I think about our Best Reunion last week and their “Make Do” attitude of life, it contrasts with the sad and tragic Exodus story. How God’s people responded after He redeemed them from the harsh slavery in Egypt. He was taking them to His Promise Land. Yet for 40 years they were ungrateful & disobedient. While God provided food, water, and His Presence in the middle of the desert for 1.5 million people they complained about the food & conditions. When they stopped being thankful, they started grumbling and complaining. As a result, they never set foot into God’s Promise Land.

Relationship Time is a choice. It’s all about the desires of the heart. Jesus summed it up in Matthew 22:37-39, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Both require intentional time. Not just “showing up time” but the desire to be together.

What about you? Are you missing the peace, confidence & Hope in life? Then it’s time to have a reunion with “the source” of Life, Jesus. Jesus is standing in the driveway waiting. He is calling out, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Isn’t it time?