Things that went unsaid....

Today I was talking about how growing up I was very blessed by "the lake".  I have posted about our family cabin on Lake Maud many times.  But today, I was thinking that I never really thanked my  mom and dad for the sacrifices that they made so that we could have that very special home away from home.  This picture is one of my favorites of my mom and I.  It was taken in the summer of 1991 at the lake.  Isn't it funny how you think about all the things you wish you would have talked about with your parents....even years after they are gone?

Ken and I could not afford to own a "second home" when our children were young.  As a matter of fact, we never really went on a real vacation until Gwen was in 6th grade and Doug was in 3rd grade.  The truth is, we had mounds of medical bills from Doug's health issues.  Both Ken and I would have loved to be able to bring our kids on wonderful trips.  But the truth was, all that we could ever manage were yearly trips to visit my family in Minnesota.  The picture above was one of those summer trips.  Gwen and Doug got to enjoy being at Lake Maud for a few days.  They got to meet several of my favorite relatives and see the places that were so important to me during my childhood.  Today I realized that these "vacations" might not have happened if our situation was different.  Because of our yearly visits with my mom (and her visits to our house in November) my children got to have a real relationship with their grandma.  And they got to be at "the lake".  That was really an amazing gift for my children.

You know experiencing a family tragedy makes you evaluate what is really important.  And I can tell you that money falls way down the list.  Family and being together move up to the top.  Finding things that bring joy and peace are also very near the top of that list.  For me, my relationship with Jesus (which was already on the top of that list) has become my lifeline.  Living in this fallen world, life is simply not fair.  And that means that lots and lots of really bad things happen every day.  To lots and lots of people.  And the thing is, it really doesn't matter if the people are "good" or if they are "bad".  It is just the nature of the world.  This life is nothing about what happens to you, but it is all about how you handle what ever circumstance you find yourself in.   For me, without Jesus as the top of that list, well.....I can't imagine.  I don't know how people go through these things without Jesus.  Because of His death, we can have the assurance of eternal life.  And in that is the hope and the joy and the peace in awful circumstances.  And sometimes, when you find yourself in more of a downward track than an upward track, Jesus will use even a sunset, or the weather, or a smile, or a hug to turn you around.  And then hope springs up and peace and joy follow that.

I encourage you all to take some time to really evaluate what is important to you.  Make sure that Jesus is at the top of that list.    If you don't know Jesus, or aren't sure where you stand with Him, find someone to talk with.... and if you don't know who that might be, just send me a message.  I'll help you find someone.  More than that, don't pass up the opportunity to talk to those around you about all those important issues.  Don't forget to thank your mom and dad.....maybe for no reason at all.  Celebrate today.  Be together with those you love.

So I hope that this is a life-giving word to you tonight that will bring you joy.  In the midst of all of those really bad, terrible awful circumstances, anxiety and fear will not serve you.  Be encouraged!

Jesus, thank you for the reminder today to honor and celebrate what is really important.  Thank you for your presence and love.  Holy Spirit, reach out to the many reading this blog who have challenging situations right now.  Pour out your great love and comfort that will break the power of anxiety and fear.  Send rivers of encouragement and joy that restores their hearts.  Amen

Family reunions......

So I recently got a facebook announcement of a family reunion (Roelke/Johnson)  that is taking place in Minnesota in a couple of weeks.  Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend.  Some of the people pictured in this photo will actually be at this reunion.  This photo is from 1948ish (I'm not exactly sure of the date - I am guessing based on my sister Julie who is standing in the front row on the far right).  My mom is not in this picture so it is entirely possible that my mom took this picture! This was years before I was born.  But I love this photo!  The two women in the center front of the picture are my Grandma Johnson and also Grandma Roelke.  Now the interesting thing is that two of my dad's sisters married brothers.  So most of our reunions have been billed as both names.  And this photo is an example of the longevity of these reunions.  I also have to point out my cousin Marv Johnson who is on the far left, standing right by his Dad!  Marv and his wife Iris have already replied YES to this years reunion. 

Now here is the really interesting thing about these reunions.  At this point, most of the people who would attend, do not know me. Thanks to facebook, I am "friends" with several of my cousins, but I can't remember the last time I actually sat and talked, in person to any of my cousins.  I am the youngest of the cousins.  And, unfortunately, several of my generation are already dead.  Quite honestly, because of the age spacing in this family, I am much closer in age to the NEXT generation, than I am to my own generation.  This made for some interesting times for me at these reunions.  I have very vivid memories of one reunion that took place in 1967 or 68.  I was still not a "teenager" and my cousins (both first cousins and second cousins) were all teens.  They left me in the dust - literally.  They drove me down a country road, kicked me out of the car, and told me to walk back.  Needless to say, this was NOT a very good memory for me.  

One of my favorite memories is of a more recent reunion.  I'm not quite sure of the year, but I think it was in the late 1990's or early 2000's. 

These are a couple of photos from that reunion.  It was really special that my two sisters and one of my brothers made it to this reunion.  I remember my mom talking about being the last of her generation.  She just loved getting to see all the nieces and nephews.  It was a special thing for her to go to these reunions. Thanks to my sisters and brother, she often got to these reunions.  If there had been more notice, Ken and I might have tried to make this event, to honor my mom. 

I have written so much about family in this blog.  And here I am today, writing and thinking about family once again.  And more than just family..... family getting together and just celebrating that they are family.   I am so thankful that Gwen and Doug make it a priority to be together with their families and just celebrate!  

And here's the thing.  I think that every time I get together with like-minded people and worship Jesus, it is a big family reunion.  We are there to celebrate that we are all in the same family and have the same father and the same brother. I just love this picture of family celebrating together.  That is why it should always be a priority to gather together as a family and remember who we are and why we are getting together.  There is a lot about priority in this.  Sometimes you just have to decide to celebrate and remember.  And in total truth telling (which remember I promised this blog would be) I have forgotten this far to often.  I have not made these gatherings a priority.  And tonight, I will commit to changing that.  Won't you join me in this challenge, to remember and make it a priority, to gather together.  And that every time we gather with friends and family who love Jesus, we are celebrating something wonderful!  

Jesus, thank you for family.  Thank you for welcoming us into your family and giving us so much to celebrate when we gather together.  Holy Spirit, remind us of this commit made here today.  Help us to remember and make it a priority to worship and celebrate who we are in Jesus.  Thank you for family reunions and the chance to make memories across many generations.   Amen