Labor Day Weekend

(Katie) I am still basking in the joy of such a fun Labor Day weekend. My sister Al and parents came to visit James and I in Wheaton. The timing of their visit was perfect as I've been missing having people here that know me. God's timing and ability to orchestrate things just when we need them is incredible. We rented bikes to tour the city, ate wonderful meals at Egglectic, Honey, and Ginnos East Pizza. Each meal was rich with laughter and deep conversation, the perfect blend in my opinion. We biked to Cantini Park, toured the antique shops, played card games, hot tubed, (heard some horrific sounds from 340)....just enjoyed one another's presence and shared stories. 

As I reflect on the weekend, I am in awe of God's heart for redemption and restoration. This past year was really hard for my family, but each of us, in our own way, chose to do the hard work necessary to grow and change. One of the gifts of this past year is that I know without a doubt how much each person in my family deeply loves, values and is FOR the the other family members. This past season has been one of much pruning and sowing seeds, and this past weekend, I could see the fruit of all of our labor. 

On Sunday morning, we went to church. The sermon focus on Isaiah 54:2:

"Enlarge the place of your tent,
       stretch your tent curtains wide,
       do not hold back;
       lengthen your cords,
       strengthen your stakes" 

This verse really struck me, especially as I looked around me, having James next to me and my mom, dad, and Al on both sides (Vid was there in spirit), that our family has been enlarged since I got married. In order to enlarge your tent, the verse says that it is necessary to lengthen your cord and strengthen your stakes. I never thought I would be grateful for this past season as it was painful, but, I think that my family's stakes were strengthened; we have clearly identified our stakes, the values and principles that are required to keep our expanded tent standing. A tent can only stand as tall as the stakes can go deep. I am grateful that our stakes go deep. Finally, this verse says, "do not hold back!" Part of what gave me the most joy this weekend, was watching my family love one another freely. That is how God calls us to love one another. I loved watching my nuclear family embrace James and James be so willing to invite my family into his life. I am SO grateful. As Nouwen says, in Christ, "our very pain is transformed from expressions of despair into signs of hope!"