As we started the 2 day drive home from vacation, I reflected on how my family did with loving better this past week. Here are some ways that we loved God by loving our family, our neighbors, and our world, followed by ways others loved us.
Intentionally loving is important for our closeness to Jesus, our mental well-being, and for being a good model for our kids. My family loved on our trip by giving money to my brother's church, which seems very active in loving others in their town and in our world. Their kids tithing box is pretty fun!
We loved our extended family by using breaks on the drive to buy little gifts for everyone that we were about to see. We used a spinning wheel on an app to creatively pick names. We loved our neighbors by painting encouraging and fun rocks (mostly painted by me because the kids were distracted with toys and not interested) and leaving them at random places along our drive home. They fit right in at the unique and entertaining Uranus Fudge Factory.
I loved my extended family by leading a low key Celebration of Life for my grandma, who passed away in March. If I had sent an invitation it would have included something like this:
What: A chance to gather together and remember the lovely Dorothy, who has left a legacy through her family.
Who: Her family who are in town and available: her daughters, grandkids, and great-grandkids
Where: The "tree": a family photo tradition spot at a big tree in a state park in Kentucky. The large tree got struck by lightning and was cut down a couple years ago, but the spot is still special in our hearts. And the tradition lives on through a smaller tree right next to where the last one grew tall, that M suggested. A small hill, picnic tables, a beautiful fall day with spectacular reflections on the lake.
Also, a chance to see everyone at a dinner the night before for those who may not be able to make it to the park.
When: It's never too late to remember a loved one. This day is Indigenous People's Day (Columbus Day) and also my mom's birthday, who is now the matriarch/oldest of the family, an important role to have.
How: We will pray and read Romans 8:38-39. We will enjoy one of her favorite sweet treats, "Reece's Greases" as J calls the chocolatey treat. We will place her favorite flower of red roses at the tree. We will reflect back on times gone by through photo albums featuring Dorothy, those she loved, and those that loved her. Anyone who feels led will share stories - of her cards that included lipstick kiss trees and sometimes a 2 dollar bill, her phone calls that she couldn't hear, her good gifts from what she had, the little things she shared, the fun moments of growing up with her as mom.
In an act of top notch gift giving, my brother, who had saved a piece of a branch from the old tree, had professionals make slices and on each one engraved our family crest and name. Each family got one of these meaningful mementos!
We loved my 11 year old niece by cheering at 3 of her basketball games. Go #4! When she said she wished we weren't watching games against hard teams, I told her we loved her no matter what. And it's true.
It was hard to see all the frustration at the ref's calls and sadness from losing some and for J the loudness and length, but the beauty outweighed the bad. It was beautiful to see teammates and the crowd cheering and encouraging the good moves and the good tries of those young girls. It was beautiful to see what must have been a lot of hard work and practice playing out on the court. My sister-in-law is an assistant coach and she explained to her daughter that she can't control size or natural ability but she can control how hard she works. It was beautiful to see young girls not giving up and getting back up again after falling down. Good life lessons all around. Later in the evening, as we were chasing each other and laughing in my brother's driveway, J pretended to bounce a ball and said he was playing A's game. Watching her play was one of M's favorite parts of the trip too.
We loved our kids by giving them new experiences. We spontaneously stopped on our drive and went to the top of the St Louis Arch. We went with cousins to the City Museum in St Louis where they crawled and explored their way through man-made caves, tunnels, and wire tubes, up high and down low. We explored the kids area in the basement of the Illinois State Museum. Playing with toys given by M and J's grandma and playing a card game called Mafia with our 16 family members, in which M felt very accomplished for eventually playing this "adult" game.
We felt loved by my brother and his wife in their gracious hosting in their beautiful home. I witnessed their intentional love for their family, church, and children. We were able to stay in their home longer than we usually do and even on their busy days of school, work and other activities, they still made sure we had food and good conversations. My brother and his wife are so intentional about teaching their kids about Jesus and connecting with them. My brother works at a church and mentioned something that has done there about asking parents to think of what values they want to instill in their kids. My brother gave a personal example of our parents loving Jesus, valuing hard work, and loving us unconditionally. Their 15 year old son said his family valued God, family, and quality time. I heard that their son talks to them about deep and personal things, including situations involving girls, which is a special insight into the results of intentional parenting decisions of my brother and sister-in-law. This is in their dining room, as a reminder for them and to all that enter their lives.
My sister-in-law loved me by giving me some books that were meaningful to her own spiritual growth, without pressure of using them if I'm too busy right now.
I love when life and ways to grow can be shared with others.
My good friend/relative who is currently experiencing debilitating migraines was able to push through and visit me. Our first chance to meet came and went due to her health. I feel loved by God that we ended up having two more chances to meet, one to speak privately and one family visit where the kids got along so well, laughing and running around.
We all stayed up late and woke early, but miraculously, there were no bad moods, at least not when we were with other people, which was most of the time.
Even though it felt like a busy trip, there was rest and margin to abide in His love, and chances to reflect on how His love is playing out in our lives through good conversations. His love was witnessed in the smiles, in the giggles, and in the hugs.
Lord,
Thank you for all that you've blessed my family with. Thank you for family, friendship, and Your endless love. Help my family love others well.
Amen.