I have always loved my family and felt close to them, but I would never have expected that we could have such fun and such peace for so long. We have been together now for three weeks, and we are just starting the “vacation” portion of the trip. We arrived at our AL condo today and have settled in, got the kids to bed and showered. It is fairly quiet, but I am still awake. I have been sick for the last two days and had to go to the doctor yesterday and get a shot. Yuk. But I am much better and am ready for the week.
38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:38 (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
I have been thinking about this verse all week. I have had a blessed life, but like most people, I have never really been able to see what I have. Life has not been perfect. Depression has run through many parts of my family ultimately causing the death of my father. But I was raised in a healthy, secure way and I have always felt the love of those close to me and the love of God.
I have had a “good measure” of blessing just from the family and friends I have been given and the satisfiing things I have done. I have had “pressed down” through my husband and my two beautiful sons.
This summer, I am gettting a glimpse of “shaken together and running over.” I am seeing so many of my prayers about myself being answered. Prayers about having more patience, being more loving, feeling more satisfied with my self and my life, and having great relationships. All of these things have shown up in very real ways. I thinks that’s my “shaken together.”
“Running over”? My daughter. She was my end of the summer surprise last year. We were pretty happy with our boys and were talking about ending the baby train permanently when I found out I was pregnant. (I thought briefly about making surprise her middle name, but that made her sound like a stripper.) In the first four months of her life, she has been an absolute joy. She has smiled, cooed and cuddled with anyone who was willing. This last month though, she has outdone herself. Not only has she continued to be a blessing to us, but she has poured out our blessing to her great-grandparents and her grandparents. Three of these dear ones are dealing with health and aging issues that seem to make them feel useless or in the way at times. My little Button brought bright beautiful smiles to all of their faces. Her God given charm definitely runs over.
