I was already in bed tonight cuddling with my girls but then I couldn’t sleep because all I could think about was the unexpected blessings of today.
Today, we went to a Fathers Day picnic at my brothers home in the country.
Along with my parents, most of my siblings and their spouses and some of our children and their children were there.
It was an especially good day.
Not because it was a warm sunny day after all the dark gloomy rainy days we’ve had.
Not because it was Fathers Day.
Not because we got our little’s back from their week of vacation.
Not because of all the delicious food.
It was extra special because something was different. There was more peace present today then there has been in a long time.
I’m not sure what has caused this. I know I’m not the only one that felt it.
I suspect it is grace and the melting away of bitterness, anger and hurt.
My family of origin have been through many trials and tribulations. If you had known us way back, you would know we have all come a long ways.
I was never my daddy’s little girl. I mostly tried to stay out of his way.
Things haven’t always been easy with my dad for any of us kids. Love and forgiveness with him has been a journey that has seen it’s high’s and it’s low’s.
That journey took a path down a low road in the past couple of years and it made getting together tense and difficult.
The cry of my heart has been for peace to come to my family. I have prayed for grace to win over the bitterness, anger and hurt feelings.
I see grace as the thread that will keep our family together and will keep history from repeating itself.
As I watched my nieces and their husbands with their little ones and my daughter with her son, I seen the chains that have been broken because of grace and my heart rejoiced.
I watched my sisters and their husbands and my brother and his wife and I couldn’t help but smile at all they have come to be.
I watched my husband and rejoiced that I have a husband that fits in so well and how he loves my family.
When I watched my mom, who glowed in the glory of her loved ones surrounding her, I seen how happy she was in the peacefulness that surrounded our gathering. My mother heart rejoiced for her because it understands.
I watched my dad and somehow I knew that even though he will most likely never say it, that he knows that having all of us there surrounding him is a blessing.
As I listened to all the noise, chatter and laughter it was music to my ears.
Yes, love shined down on us this day.
The things is, I don’t always get home for things like this, but something told me I needed to go see my dad for Fathers Day today. I am sure glad I did.
I am thankful I didn’t miss out on the gift of this day.
Now that it is just after midnight I suppose I should try to sleep. :)
Until next time, love and hugs, Lori
11 comments:
I am so happy to read that you had a good Father's Day. For some people, they just find it harder to express themselves, but they do care all the same. :)
glad to hear you had a wonderful day and unexpected blessings. you deserve them...
Lori, glad to read the encouraging post from you. Thank you for sharing.
Lori, this is so beautiful that it should be pubished in a magazine! Hold onto the memory of this beautiful gift that God has given you yesterday. Grace IS the thread that melts away bitterness, anger, and hurt. You should print this off, hand it to your husband with a hug, and tell him it is blessings like this that give you hope for better days ahead. Tell him how much you appreciate how good he is to your extended family. It may give him the hope he needs too. *Hugs* back to you...I'm so happy you had this awesome time. What a testimony to the possibility of healing through, as you said, love shining down.
I'm so glad you had a great weekend; you deserve to be happy.
Ah, Lori - such a lovely, lovely post. One of the things that I love about you is your ability to see and feel all the good in your life, despite the tribulations you may be enduring.
Jan
Beautiful post Lori! You are not alone with your issues with dad but it sounds like you are beginning to heal. Many of us go through life carrying lots of baggage from our past. The sooner we get rid of it the better... so we are able to move on and become present for our own lives. You are a wonderful person who sees the good all around you. In my world that's called "gratitude" and when we are grateful for something, we are able to see beyond our own shortcomings and everyone elses! Great fathers day in many ways eh?
This is wonderful...perhaps the beginning of wonderful family days for all of you.
Hugs, Suz
this is beautiful mom.
It was such an amazing day. You're right, I couldn't explain it, but it was perfect. I loved it. :) So glad I Got to share that with you!
And I am happy that you were blessed with a day of joy and peace and grace.
What a lovely, uplifting post. I, too, had a very complicated relationship with my father. How wonderful that you have been able to work through those difficult times. Thank you for sharing.
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