October 10, 2004
"It's raining."
All the things I mentioned that I was looking forward to (state fair, volleyball, horseshoes, and did I mention S'Mores??) all went kaput. It was like the sequal to Noah's Ark the entire weekend.
And of course when I get home, it stops entirely! Murphy!! You and your laws!! Leave me be!
But, I had a great time. Food was coma-inducing good, and we played a few rounds of dominoes, phase 10, and Mexican train. But mostly, we just talked. I was a little blue to leave. On the five hour (!!) drive home, I had plenty of time to mull over some things about my family.
I am so thankful for a place in this world. To be surrounded by people who love me and are happy to see me, and know me in a way the rest of the world can't- it's such a blessing. To be part of this fabric, woven of all the quirks and stories and memories-- what an amazing thing! Because woven we are- for better or worse, we stick together. Our lives may spread out, but there is a closeness that distance never seems to touch. Mom says that we have my great grandmother (who passed many years ago) to thank for that.
My family is far from perfect. I would even say that our roots are pretty dysfunctional. But God had a plan for my family, and He has drawn us to Him despite those imperfections. Those stories are incredible, how one by one, aunts and uncles have come to know the Lord- and changed their lives and their children's lives. Without Him, I shudder to think where we would be now. I am so grateful for the covenant He kept before we even knew who He was.
That's what the family reunion is for me. It's not just meeting up with cousins I haven't seen in a while. It's seeing what God is doing in their life, and how they are growing. It's about sharing the hard things, praying about them, encouraging each other. It's laughing and eating and fellowshipping with family- and being bound by so much more than blood.
I am rich beyond counting.
**
Psalm 66
To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm.
Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,
Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
**
Amen!
Posted by: Aunt Vickie at October 11, 2004 08:32 AMThis speaks to my troubled spirit Shannon. Thank you.
Posted by: another Shannon at October 11, 2004 10:00 AMMay your family be blessed! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! And, by the way, welcome home, Shannon!
Posted by: Jano at October 11, 2004 01:06 PM