Ruth has done some home improvements, and actually is in the middle of more... she now has a wonderful new eating island in her kitchen, and the old table... the same one that we had in our kitchen when the kids were young... is now out on the porch of their home... With the summer weather, she discovered that this is a way to keep her kitchen clean, and has started moving meals outside as often as possible. I loved the backdrop of their adorable and picturesque red barn, and listening to the kids tell about their first day of school, over tacos on the porch, at the table their mom sat at and told us about her first day of school, many years ago... it was a great thing.
Simon is now a first grader and has no front teeth... over the weekend he lost the other one... Mary caught a moth in her hands and told us that she now knew what a moth felt like..."all buzzy." The joy of family sharing with little ones at a meal... on the table of our own young family!
"Happy Birthday, dear daddy!" The girls are singing to their dad in the glow of 32 candles. I just had to go and find this picture of Pat's 32nd birthday, on the table of memory... in our little farmhouse where all 4 girls lived until 1988. Many great memories around the table and in the house that will probably soon be leveled... after the storm it is in bad shape after all these years. Our memories will always stay, however, and pictures like this are very much a part of keeping the JOY and HAPPINESS within us.
Today in morning prayer - a grand Hallel psalm! Psalm 104... Praising Him for the wonder of his world, and how it continues on from generation to generation. How delightful to be able to experience the "small times" with family - the mealtimes with the insights of your little ones... they remind us of those little ones - now their parents.. that we had beside us to uplift and educate us in the ways of your Truth and your Light.Psalm 104
"Bless the Lord, my soul!
Lord God, how great you are,
clothed in majesty and glory,
wrapped in light as in a robe!
You stretch out the heavens like a tent.
Abover the rains you build your dwelling.
You make the clouds your chariot,
you walk on the wings of the wind,
you make the winds your messengers
and flashing fire your servants."
"I will sing to the Lord all my life,
make music to my God while I live.
May my thoughts be pleasing to him.
I find my joy in the Lord.
Bless the Lord, my soul."
Psalm 104
Lord, thank you for all the joy that we have experienced with Family! For the little things and the little ones that remind us of the blessings that come with a growing and loving and faith centered family - a "domestic Church." We place our trust always in you, and our lives in your hands. For as St Paul reminds in the letter to the Thessalonians today - "All of you are children of the light and children of the day." May we remember that and also as in the Gospel today after you commanded the unclean spirit to leave the man...."What is there about his word?" (Luke 4:31-37) All we need do is place our lives in your hands and trust... all the rest will fall into place, as we follow the narrow path towards eternal LIFE with you! Jesus, hold our families close to your heart burning with love for them. Jesus, we trust in you! Amen and Halleluia!
Bless-bless, Barb Canning time on the table 2 years ago... shortly after John was diagnosed with brain cancer... "Christ suffered for you,
and left you an example
to have you follow in his footsteps.
He did no wrong;
no deceit was found in his mouth.
When he was insulted
he returned no insult.
When he was made to suffer,
he did not counter with threats.
Instead, he delivered himself up
to the One who judges justly.
In his own body
he brought your sins to the cross,
so that all of us, dead to sin,
could live in accord with God's will.
By his wounds you were healed."
I Peter 2: 21-24
Lord, may we find your path of humility and trust.
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