Lent Day 20: Family traits

We're halfway through Lent. I must say, I miiissssssss sweets every day (usually a few times a day) and the other disciplines are a pain at times. But I'm reminded how good life is, even with a few routines disrupted to remind me of Jesus' sacrifice.

Here's a repost that made me think of how lucky I am to be in God's family.
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The day has slipped by. My brother and his kids came for a visit - they live in Edmonton, so it's a rare treat. Being with family is renewing and reminds us of who we are inside, before the expectations of work and friends shaped us.

Our parents made sure we stayed in touch when we started our families, so as adults we know each other, like each other, and enjoy the individuality of our callings as well as the things we have in common.

Dad put his Super 8 movies on DVD. What a laugh it's been to watch my little brothers put on an unselfconscious show (cello and violin). My older brother looks disinterested (at age 14), a typical lanky teen, bored at being conscripted for photos. He'll be the one who picks up the baton and makes a career out of music. In all the pictures, I'm restless, distracted, and uncomfortable on camera.

The old films show how we work together when the family plays music: my dad tucks his violin under his chin and the rest of us fall into line. We often have no music, just a, "Let's play this tune." No one looks very stressed or anxious about notes because we all play by ear. We're doing what we've done dozens of times, harmonizing together.

The music is an inborn trait: my husband's family and mine grew up singing and playing.  I'd hoped our kids would do the same, make music, perform, bond as a unit. But our kids never found an orchestra to play with, and my husband didn't take much of an interest in the kids' lessons. After we changed churches, the children refused to get up in front of strangers. Gradually the music fizzled out as they went to college and stopped taking lessons.

Maybe our kids will torture their own children with music lessons. It takes a lot of stamina and determination, not to mention a financial commitment. The discipline is all on the part of parents when kids hate practicing. Watching the next generation at lessons would be the best revenge, after all the trips I made as a student and as a parent of students.

It's interesting to see family traits in God's household, too. Some of us perpetuate the good things - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness... and some are still hard at lessons, struggling to fit into the band of brothers and sisters. Our spiritual Elder Brother modeled the family character so we could follow His lead.

God is kind. He watches over us with tender affection and cheers us on to do our best, no matter how excellent or distressing the performance.

Can you identify a few ways God is showing up in your own character and traits as you walk with Him? It's important to accept family and care for them - whether they are biological or spiritual siblings.

Read more:
*The Lord said to Cain, "What have you done? Listen; your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground!" Genesis 4:10 ESV

*Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone  is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:5-8 NIV

*Come now, you rich people, listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous one. James 5:1,4-6 ESV

Moravian Prayer: Lord, often we easily ignore those who work for what little they have; often we eagerly admire those who have much, but work little. Your mercy O Lord, must prevail. Grant us this mercy that we may work for your justice. Amen.

Terrific two!

Our granddaughter and her parents moved into our place on Saturday. What a busy girl she is!

We're reading Make Way for Ducklings. I "read" it in German, of course. We're practicing coming when called: "Look at how the ducklings come right away when Mama Duck quacks! When Oma calls, Kinsey comes right away." Well, that works in theory.

Talk about a culture shift. In the 1941 book, the kids ride a swan barge in around a Boston lake with their extended families. The boat has no siderails, but no one falls in or drowns. The policemen are willing to drive over to stop traffic for ducklings, and no one seems aggravated by the delay. And people are allowed to feed the ducks, too. imagine!

Making sure Oma understands

We've been up to the nearby park a few times. Kinsey is resigned to walking up our hill and through the neighborhood.

"Oma, Up-We-GO! Up-We-GO!" she hollered at me the first two times. I'm thinking, hey, sweetie, let's both work on our leg muscles. She trots along, pauses to drag sticks from the side of the street, and tosses pebbles into the drains. "Plop!"

Since watching a caterpillar move dirt near the park, Kinsey's been scooping up dirt, mulch, and gravel. She tips it out of her hands with glee. "Look, Oma!"

We had a nice surprise for her today: a little dozer came down our driveway, moved a bunch of gravel, and made a ramp and landing pad for our basement suite.

We went outside to say hi to the guys and admire the dozer up close. Of course, she had to get her hands dirty by showing me how the shovel scoops mud. Happy girl!

Kinsey explaining Snuggle
Puppy glasses to Oma

Another treat has been reading Snuggle Puppy. We've put on glasses, held an umbrella, eaten cookies, and worn hats, just like Snuggle Puppy. It's all I can do not to giggle but we're trying to be serious about our imitations. HAHA

Though our lives are in full transition, the small things may bring the biggest joys. Ordinary moments pile up to create extraordinary memories and a memorable life.

Read more:
*The king said to Daniel, "Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings." Daniel 2:47 NLT

*I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NLT

*Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV

*All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

Moravian Prayer: Our King and Master who reigns over all of creation, you have promised us that we are the ones who will not be separated from your love. We pray that we may spread your love to those who still need it. Amen.