Thursday, September 3, 2009

A "Wow" moment

Last week, we went to Texas to see family. It was an amazing trip, and it surpassed my expectations. All three of my siblings were there with their significant others. I got to meet my niece for the first time. There were four cousins who had a great time together ... except for the frequent times they were fighting over toys. There was a ladies' lunch that was really nice. I got to reconnect with my sister. There were many rousing games of "styroball" in the swimming pool. It was all so wonderful.
The night before Chad and I left was also the night before my sister and her husband and daughter were to return to their overseas post. So we had a prayer time with the adults who were still there (my brothers were already gone). We prayed for safety, patience in travel, etc. We all took a turn praying aloud. A couple of times during the prayer, I looked around at all the people around the table and just felt a wow moment. I thought, "Wow, this is really cool. What a blessing to be a member of this family, all of whom are Christian, are serious about their relationships to Christ, worship God through their lives, and strive to be righteous people." I can't really explain this, but I felt an extremely strong connection to those members of my family through Christ. It was like he truly was there in our midst (Matt 18:20), and we were communing through prayer, reaching a level of closeness that the average irreligious person is not able to experience. It was just such a neat moment of ... realization? ... appreciation? I don't even know what to call it, but it was wonderful and really moved me.

6 comments:

michellep said...

Those moments are so precious. For me, there is nothing more important than what you've just described—having my family united in our faith in Jesus Christ. That is exactly what I believe heaven will be like :)

Jackie said...

Can't say it better than Michelle--it's so true though, there is nothing more rewarding than to have that triangular relationship with another human being and Christ. And to have an entire family bound together in that way is not only a blessing, but, in my opinion, the reason we are here. So glad you had a great trip!

Carl and Amber said...

There is just no doubt that we have been BLESSED to be here on earth in families- what a gift! You nailed it...it is only through Christ that we can feel this higher love. It's so sad to see so many that don't know or experience this love themselves.

Jen said...

Hooray! So glad God blessed your time together.

Justin and Rachel Smith said...

That IS really awesome, Hope. God has truly blessed you and I envy that relationship that you all cherish. I hope your moment turns in to many times before the Lord filled with thankfulness.

Rachel said...

That's awesome! I linked to you in my post tomorrow. :) You have fans. I'll just stay that.