Love Abounds

I haven’t posted a blog for so long it’s almost hard to start up again. But tonight I am sitting in a hotel room for the fourth night in a row – bored and alone…I’ve watched more TV in the last 3 nights than I have for a month, my book isn’t grabbing me, and work has consumed me all day and I don’t feel like working anymore.

My husband is handling the whirlwind of 3 kids graciously on his own this week. The reports from home have been good. He’s leaving work early every day to manage the after school carpool, run Taryn to dance, Paige to basketball & Carter to basketball. My co-workers have said – “Oh he will appreciate you so much more after this week.” That might be true, but right now, I appreciate him so much! Thanks honey!

So what to write about after so much time away from my blog…I have many thoughts racing through my head, but the thought that I have been overwhelmed with lately is the steadfast faithfulness of God.

Two weeks ago my brother got married.  It was a grand event in every sense of the word – stunning bride, beautiful location, lush flowers, unbelievable food...but most importantly it was grand because of the love they share.  My new sister, Mia, was all choked up while she was reciting her vows which, of course, caused the rest of us to tear up as well. But I realized how much she really loves my brother.  What more could I ask for?

The best parts of the event for me was spending time with the people who surrounded the happy couple with their show of love and support.  At the age of 37, my brother, Luke, is the last of our generation on either side of my relatives to get married. And almost everyone showed up for this long awaited event....aunts, uncles, cousins, long-time family friends. We were surrounded by those people in our lives who helped shape us as kids.   People I see far too seldom at this point in my life because we are spread across many miles and many states and at this stage of life are busy with our own families.

But these are people I love dearly and who love me back. Our love for each other, in many ways, is based simply on the fact that we belong to one another. My history with most of them begins at my birth. Aside from my younger cousins, they were around before I was born…supporting my parents…welcoming me.

My eldest aunt who lives in Chicago just turned 70. (She paints a whole new picture in my mind of how young 70 is.) She pulled me aside at the reception and said – “I’m just going to call you sometime, out of the blue, to keep in touch.” I would love that. I hope she does.

It was a great time to reconnect – even if it was just out on the dance floor getting’ down to Foot Loose or a exchanging a simple “You look great! Your kids are so big!” Our presence together that day affirmed that no matter the miles or years that pass, we are still there for each other….showing our support in the momentous occasions of our lives.

And I was struck afresh with what having these people in my life has meant to me.  And I wondered, do they know how weeks of fishing at The Little Norway Resort or weekends camping at Hoffmaster State Park or celebrating Christmas on the farm or working at the Leader Café made me who I am today? Do they know that the laughter shared over silly pranks and old family stories filled me with happiness? Do they know that the times we worshipped together at each others’ churches and our grandparents’ church rooted me even deeper in my faith? Do they know how proud I am to call them my family?

As I looked over this group of loved ones, I was even more deeply moved by God’s faithfulness to us all. Not that we haven’t had hardships amongst us – during the weekend I also shed tears with my youngest aunt from Tuscon while we talked about her daughter who is bravely fighting cancer and my other aunt who is recovering from a stroke. Yet through every challenge we have faced over the years, God has been faithful. He has been our rock and our fortress. There is not a cousin, aunt or uncle amongst us who does not place their hope in the Lord. How awesome is that?

Missing from this celebration were our grandparents. They have all gone on to heaven. I can’t imagine the praises they must sing to God when they look down on the legacy they have left behind -- a family that loves the Lord! I can’t help but sing praises from Psalm 100 myself, “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

So thank you Luke, for getting married. It was a day filled with love...yours & Mia's...and so much more.