Interrupted by Grace {Day 12}: Family

Yesterday was one of those strange days that is just fine but feels strange.  It was a Friday that felt like a Saturday.  I also ate too many cookies.

Thursday evening we'd had a water backup into our basement from our dish and clothes washers.  We had dealt with the immediate problem, the water, but needed to take care of getting the clog out of the pipes.  By 'we,' I mean that my husband needed to take care of getting the clog out of the pipes.

Friday, we had plans for my mom to come out to visit with my niece and nephew in the afternoon, so the kids and I were looking forward to that.  Colin, thankfully, only had morning commitments, so while we were visiting and playing upstairs, he spent the afternoon in the basement snaking pipes.  Lots was happening in the house, but nothing particularly scheduled, planned, or routine!

It was a family day.  Of course, it was not a family day like one spent at an amusement park, but rather one where family is loving and taking care of things and one another in the order and chaos of day-to-day life:  my mom had my sister's kids so she could attend a wedding; my husband was doing household maintenance so I could wash the growing piles of dishes and clothes asap; my kids were playing with their cousins, happily passing a rainy afternoon indoors; my mom and I talked so we can use the time she's here well and be prepared for our trip to Rwanda*; my mom also tended to a few things for me during nap so I could submit our taxes.

Looking back on the day, I am interrupted by the grace of how God knits families together and the many opportunities we have to love and care for one another.  These are the building blocks of trust upon which relationships are formed.  Family is a strange beast; we all know how annoyed we can get with our family members, don't we?  And we sure are able to offend and repel one another at times with skill, too, aren't we?  But within our families we also find a great training ground for learning to live with and love other people.

Not sure what your plans are for the weekend.  We've got more family time coming up today, since my dad heads back to Rwanda tomorrow.  These moments of reflection have been good for reminding me what a blessing it is to be sharing and making history together with the family God's given me.  I pray you to can enjoy some mundane but sweet family time this weekend too!

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Colossians 3:12-14

*My parents currently live in Rwanda, where my dad is working for Carnegie Mellon University, directing their new masters program.  First class graduates this spring!  We will be visiting them in May; I'll post some pictures!!