Jesus replied: “ ‘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 neighbour as yourself.’ ” Matthew 22: 37-39
Meet Brigitte & Peter*
In early January the French celebrate Epiphany with a gathering centred around the Galette des rois or Kings’ Cake. A tradition that dates back to the 14th century, friends and family are invited for the afternoon, the cake is shared, and whoever finds the “bean” is crowned king or queen for the day. In some parts of France, the person who finds the bean must then host the next gathering (usually the following weekend), and this meeting to eat cake can repeat itself multiple times throughout the month of January.
We moved into our house a few weeks before Epiphany just over a year ago. A few days into January, we found an invitation in our mailbox inviting us to celebrate the Galette des rois at the home of Brigitte and Peter, a retired couple who live in one of the houses just behind ours.
This invitation became the first of many opportunities for us to get together. Since then, we found ourselves frequently chatting over the fence, which often led to an invitation to meet to play card games or share a meal.
Brigitte and Peter have become so much more than just nice neighbours. Our friendship has grown, and in many ways they have embraced us like family. In fact when their families and grandchildren are visiting them from out of town, we are frequently invited to join in for family dinners and family outings or activities. Over the past year our kids have built friendships with their grandkids, who frequently stay with Brigitte and Peter during school holidays and summer vacation.
This past Christmas, as they hosted 2 of their families over the holidays, we were surprised but deeply honoured to be invited to spend the afternoon with them on Christmas day.
Living so far from our own families back in Canada, our relationship with Brigitte and Peter has truly been a precious and unexpected gift from God to our family. We care about them both deeply and are so thankful for their friendship.
Would you join us in praying for Brigitte and Peter?
Married just 15 years ago having both experienced divorce, please pray for strength and unity in their marriage. Pray for Brigitte’s daughter who too is going through a divorce, leaving their 2 young grandchildren to suffer through the pain of this broken relationship.
Spiritually speaking, both Brigitte and Peter are far from God. Raised in the Catholic church, like so many here in France, the church and religion are seen as part of their heritage, but not a relevant part of their everyday lives. Pray that our family could demonstrate the truth and love of Jesus in real and tangible ways, and for opportunities to introduce them to their Creator, who loves them.
Pray for their health as they both have faced different physical challenges this past year.
- Pray for the relationships we are building with their extended families, particularly the friendships between our kids and their grandkids.
Who do you LOVE? We would love to hear your stories!
With joy,
