This past weekend was the Allinger family reunion in Sevierville, TN. I was really anticipating a lot of "We only see you once a year" stares and lots of people on "that" side of the family that we really do not have much in common with. It started out much the same way with one of the ladies looking completely over me as we walked in and she did not speak. Looking back, I am a little disgruntled to say that, yes, I feel we did a very little to "bond" with our family. But with all that said, what can you expect from seeing people ONCE A YEAR?! I mean, it's not like we even talk on the phone or email personal stuff. The family members who I regularly email from Charleston were not even there, and those who were are people that we really do not share much in common with. I know my church family here in Lebanon better than any of the other family members. I'd be surprised if any of them even went to church on Easter Sunday much less any other Sunday throughout the year, and Lord forbid any weeknight! Just not important to them like our Lord and Savior are to us. The kids played fine together and the adults watched TV and ate well together (whoopdi-do!).
We had hoped to enter some sort of conversation and be a shining light about "the reason for the hope that is within us", but it just did not happen. Jason was asked to say the blessing, which he did share the reason for Easter and for us to even have all the blessings that were on the table before us. So I guess we can be thankful for that. Like I said, it's about relationships and relationships take time. We will know when the time is right, when the season for sharing is upon us. God will give us the wisdom for all that He wants us to do.
Another area that I have been so glad to be studying/reading in is Matthew 11:28-30 when Jesus talks about coming to Him all who are weary and heavy laden. I really like the book Queen of the Castle by Lynn Bowen Walker. My mom gave me the book for Christmas, and on page 89 she shares, "The definition of yoke is a harness that was never intended to be worn by just one. It was designed for two creatures to share the workload. That helps me see how important it is for me to bring my troubles to Jesus when I'm feeling stressed and overburdened. I don't need to walk alone, lugging hundreds of pounds more than I can carry. My shoulders are weak, and He knows that. As soon as I ask Him to, Christ will walk with me, sharing my life and my burdens, taking nearly all the weight from my back so all that's left is an amount I can bear. It is heavy enough, to be sure, but as I walk with Christ, sharing the yoke designed for two, I know it can be carried."
May this last prayer help you as it has helped me as I go through yet another week of being a SAHM and learning to let Him carry my burden and not get stressed out:
"Lord, thank you that neither death nor life nor dirty laundry nor sticky floors nor grocery shopping nor carpooling nor homework nor science fair projects can separate us from Your love. Whether I handle life well or poorly, thank You that nothing I do will make You love me any more, or less. Help me not to be stressed over my imperfections, but to rest in the comforting knowledge that through Christ, I am acceptable to You." AMEN!
We had hoped to enter some sort of conversation and be a shining light about "the reason for the hope that is within us", but it just did not happen. Jason was asked to say the blessing, which he did share the reason for Easter and for us to even have all the blessings that were on the table before us. So I guess we can be thankful for that. Like I said, it's about relationships and relationships take time. We will know when the time is right, when the season for sharing is upon us. God will give us the wisdom for all that He wants us to do.
Another area that I have been so glad to be studying/reading in is Matthew 11:28-30 when Jesus talks about coming to Him all who are weary and heavy laden. I really like the book Queen of the Castle by Lynn Bowen Walker. My mom gave me the book for Christmas, and on page 89 she shares, "The definition of yoke is a harness that was never intended to be worn by just one. It was designed for two creatures to share the workload. That helps me see how important it is for me to bring my troubles to Jesus when I'm feeling stressed and overburdened. I don't need to walk alone, lugging hundreds of pounds more than I can carry. My shoulders are weak, and He knows that. As soon as I ask Him to, Christ will walk with me, sharing my life and my burdens, taking nearly all the weight from my back so all that's left is an amount I can bear. It is heavy enough, to be sure, but as I walk with Christ, sharing the yoke designed for two, I know it can be carried."
May this last prayer help you as it has helped me as I go through yet another week of being a SAHM and learning to let Him carry my burden and not get stressed out:
"Lord, thank you that neither death nor life nor dirty laundry nor sticky floors nor grocery shopping nor carpooling nor homework nor science fair projects can separate us from Your love. Whether I handle life well or poorly, thank You that nothing I do will make You love me any more, or less. Help me not to be stressed over my imperfections, but to rest in the comforting knowledge that through Christ, I am acceptable to You." AMEN!
2 comments:
Hey, Karen! I saw your comment/question on my blog about how to write in between the pictures. Here's what works for me!
Upload your pictures. I use the format where the pics are in the center. If you click in between the pictures, it will let you type there. I usually center my type by clicking on the three lines at the top. Hope this helps! Have a super weekend!
~Mer
Hey Karen! Just stopped by to say thanks again for having us over last weekend. We had a great time and we loved getting to meet Jace for the first time! :o)
Hopefully we'll see y'all again soon, preferably before another two years have passed. :o)
Destiny
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