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Oh the wonder of this world. The beauty of God’s creation. Today I noticed a cardinal fly right in front of our truck.  It was a day brightener. The Preacher and I had made a trip to the hills of Arkansas to see our newest grandchild.  Oh goodness what a treat that was. Oh the wonder of this creation. 

            

Some day he will be outdoors, barefoot and joining his sister chasing the chickens around the yard. But for now he slept peacefully in my arms.  His ruddy complexion, large blue eyes and the sweetest little cleft in his chin. I took out his tiny hands from the cuddle he was in and thanked God for the hands He gave my grandson and that He would use those hands for good and honorable purposes. Next I took a peak at his baby feet. Oh the wonder of this life. His mommy tells me that she noticed he has my toes.  I smiled and inside had this indescribable feeling that somehow part of me is part of him. When he peeked out of those big lids I was transported back to 27+ years ago when I looked into the eyes of my son.  This grandson of mine is the marvelous fusion of the love of two people and the grace of an awesome and generous God. Oh the wonder of commitment.  I lean and smell his baby smell, the newness of him.  My heart is about to explode with love as I hold him close and cherish this opportunity.  Time goes by so swiftly so I take a picture in my mind to tuck away and think of often. 

Sitting a few feet away is my son.  He’s reading Little Pilgrim’s Progress to his two and half year old daughter and she is completely engrossed in the story.  She is listening. He is animated. I am humbled and blessed to witness this holy scene. Oh the wonder of witnessing your child be a parent.  All too soon the chapter is over and my granddaughter is ready to be out in the sunshine so she heads for the door, puts her poppy pink crocs on and turns to see who else is going to join her.  That sweet smile is all it takes and her PopPop hops up and is already following her out to see her new chicks in the workshop.  When I look out the window a few minutes later he is pushing her around the driveway pad in her pink “fun buggy”. Oh the wonder of being a grandparent.

                                        

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Before we say goodbye this newly minted family of four gathers on the porch swing and I snap some photos of their grinning faces. Baby boy snoozing away, big sister proudly holding her baby brother’s hand, honey-sweet sleep deprived smiles of daddy and mommy.  The bliss of time standing still and capturing this Friday morning in April. Oh the wonder of family. We hug and say “see you soon, love you”.  As we drive down the dusty dirt road part of my heart left behind, I noticed a cardinal fly right in front of our truck and it lifted my spirits.  A reminder from the Lord that He is with our family no matter where we are.  It was a day brightener.  Oh the wonder of a God Who sees me and continues to show me His love. 

                                            

Lineage

These rapidly changing and uncertain times lead people to ask questions; to take inventory of their lives.  I have to admit it has created a sense of urgency in my heart for my future, and that of my family and loved ones.  My mind starts spinning in contemplation.  How is my crew? Who is my anchor? When I trace the lineage of the past all the way up to today and where I am, where my family is, what do I stand for.  When do I stand in the gap to help others; lost and hurting people?

During this season of my life my prayer life has changed.  I find myself scouring devotionals and consuming scripture for encouragement (to share and to hold onto tightly), yet never feeling as though my duty is complete.  Yes I consider it my duty (and my honor) to bring my family and place them before our holy God and plead with Him to bless them.  I want to remind Him about them every day, my thoughts for them are continual. They are my crew, my clan, my tribe.  Webster defines it as a group of people associated together in a common activity or by common traits or interests.  My hope and dream for my crew is to be fully devoted to loving God, loving others and serving the world.  For any family unity to be evidenced there must remain a steadfast foundation; a mooring.  An anchor is a reliable or principal support; the chief force that is in charge.  In my entire life there has never been anything to compare to the steadfast hope of Jesus Christ.  I trust Him, He is the anchor of my soul.

As a learning and growing follower of Jesus I have hopes, dreams and an overarching concern for loved ones.  I never want to stop yearning for better, brighter and bolder lives.  I recently was able to  witness the confession and baptism of my youngest niece.  That is a hope fulfilled!  It's a dream come true for this believer.  She is the final life of the third generation to give her heart to Jesus! Wow!! Now that is something to celebrate!!  Currently there are 104 living members (this could change any day- a nephew and his wife are expecting their 5th child this month).  Our family is quite unique.  It's built from human brokenness that chose to live a life determined to work hard, dig deep and graft in those God has brought into this family. There isn't a picture perfect configuration but God has blessed us beyond what we deserve.  We are half's, steps, fosters, grafted- in and originals bonded by life and the wonderfully strange circumstances that intertwine our lives.  Trying to be part of each other's lives is a worthy cause; yet it has become exhausting.

I've tried to keep up with the lives of our extended relatives while celebrating our immediate family joys as I'm certain other kin of mine have done, and it is proving to be impossible to not somehow, some way, miss or forget a significant event or gathering of family.  For the preacher and I- our immediate family itself has 20 birthdays and 5 anniversary's.  The next layer includes grandparents that have now become great grandparents as the married third generation bears the fourth generation of this extensive tribe.

My work in prayer is becoming more and more obvious to my heart as I type these words.  Lord give me strength and again a renewed sense of urgency to bring these beautiful lives before Your throne.  I'm so thankful for all of the hard things that have brought me to a greater appreciation of God's plan and how blessed I am to see Him orchestrate all these things with His Sovereign Hand.  What to take from this... count your blessings.  Trust God with the struggles you face.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and behold the miracle of love He is bringing forth from your life and the lives of your precious loved ones.