My sister Amy gathered three generations -- her daughters, grandkids, and she and her hubby -- and flew them all to see my parents, the great grandparents. Four generations gathered for three days together. She sent me a photo of my Mom (Great-Grandmamma) with new baby, Riley, as they prepared to leave after their 3 day visit. Riley is smiling in the picture and my mother is beaming back at her. I could look at that picture for hours and not grow tired of it. My father, not given to much "religiousity" of speech, admitted there was no word to describe the visit other than "blessed."
My sister Amy is well known for great acts of kindness and love. The whirlwind trip of the three generations of families included not only gathering the various people from Arizona and Texas, but then flying the whole kit and caboodle to Maryland, driving to NY for three days, and then driving to the other set of Great-Grands for three days in Virginia.
I am reading a wonderful book by Jen Hatmaker, called "7". Another wonderful sister, Holly, recommended it. I am loving it. It is essentially about how we Christians don't always do a very good job of changing the world by our actions. Oh we pray, and we have programs, and we have fancy churches, and wonderful Bible studies, but are we out there meeting the needs of others sacrificially? The author has really made me rethink what I hold dear and essential in life, as well as my purpose. I know I fall very short of what I should be, and as is typical with my somewhat melancholy personality, I become very down on myself wondering why I grow in Christ so exceedingly slow. This morning, my reading of CS Lewis was on just this issue. I love what he said about spiritual growth. He says we rarely see it happening, and if we focus on it, sometimes we end up going the other way. Then he gives wonderful advice, "As to your spiritual state, try my plan. I pray ‘Lord, show me just so much
(neither more nor less) about myself as I need for doing thy will now.’"
I watched the travels of my sister Amy and the many lives that she was filling with joy at great expense to herself and her wonderful husband. Sacrificial love. And four generations are watching... and wondering about The Lord she loves that gives her such boundless generosity towards others.
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He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you. He makes peace in your borders, And fills you with the finest wheat. (Psalms 147:3-5, 12-14 NKJV)
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Your sister, Amy, is a friend of mine. Not and "old one", as we haven't known each other that long, but I would describe her as an "old" friend because our friendship feels old. Matured, developed, like minded. She has a precious soul and I know and understand exactly why she made the trip. She lives big and she loves big, using up every ounce, not leaving anything left to regret.
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