My Family Isn't Perfect

Did my title get your attention?  Well, don't get your hopes up...I'm not going to "hang out my dirty laundry" for all the world to see...

If you read my previous post about our happy days with our "nuclear family" all together, (see link below)

http://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2012/04/family-time-is-best-time.html   you might get the impression that our family is "just perfect"...enjoying fun times of eating and laughing, playing games and going fishing and not having a care in the world.  After looking at the pictures I had posted on my Facebook Page, one of my friends commented that she envied me this time with our boys all home again.  I understood where her comment stemmed from...but it kind of bothered me.  Why? Well, because it made me stop and realize that there are others out there who are longing for some "quality"  (and "quantity") family time with their loved ones...perhaps there are those who are missing family members due to the war in Afghanistan, or due to estrangement of relationships because of divorce or other kinds of separation.  Others are suffering the recent loss of a mate, a child, or a parent or sibling because of a horrid disease, trauma, or accident.  I know there are some who are sadly watching a child or other family member slowly succumbing to cancer or other illness and they feel frantically helpless and heartbroken as they grieve their impending loss. 

I have been impressed with these thoughts for the past several days...so much so that it almost made me feel guilty for the joyful time we were enjoying together as a family, knowing that others would dearly love to be in my shoes. And yet, I had to remind myself that our precious time together was not something to be taken lightly...we have definitely had our family "issues"...serious illness, separation due to circumstances beyond our control, loss of job(s), personal emotional trauma and disappointments, recent loss of a loved one, financial stresses and strains...and yes, even difficulties in interpersonal relationships within our own family circle.  Our family is not perfect...but I would consider us "normal"...if there is such a thing as a normal family.  In today's society, I am not too sure what could be considered a "normal" family...but I like to think it would be a family who is defined by the fact that they persevere in spite of difficult circumstances...a family who does not give in to the status quo and allow the world's "mores" dictate what they do and who they become. 

There is one reason and only one reason that I can point to that has enabled our family to survive the various trials and tribulations we have endured throughout the past 40+ years of our existence as a family, and that would be the one constant:  our faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ, our Savior.  If it were not for that abiding belief and trust in Our Creator and Sustainer, we could not have survived.  Pure and simple.

Hear my cry, O God;

Attend to my prayer. 

From the end of the earth I will cry to You,

When my heart is overwhelmed; 

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 

For You have been a shelter for me,

A strong tower from the enemy.

I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;

I will trust in the shelter of Your wings."

Psalm 61:1-4

"So I will sing praise to Your name forever,

That I may daily perform my vows." Psalm 61:8

So if you find yourself feeling envious of other families' good times, first of all...don't do it...because most likely that family has "issues" you do not know about...and you might find out that your family isn't so bad after all.  But if you need a strong tower and a shelter from the storms of life, and a way to help your family stand strong...draw close to God.  He will sustain you and give you the strength and hope you need for yourself and your family in good times and bad.  I have nothing else to say.

Lord, I pray tonight for families everywhere who are hurting and reeling from pain, sorrow, and loss. I lift them up to You, O Lord, and pray that You will hear their cries...and attend to their needs...just like You have done for my family for all these years.  In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Our Family in a more "sane" moment...maybe...you don't know what
it took to get this picture.  The following is an "out-take" of trying to
put this picture together!





ha ha!!