I did go home last week to visit my mom who just had her second hip replacement surgery. It was a good visit that I hoped encouraged and helped her. I hope that for my kids that no matter how old they get or how old I get, it would always be a joy to come home. What a picture of the gospel we can give to our children and to the world by our families as we make homes that are most often described as joyous. Not just at Christmas or other holidays, but in the everyday stuff that is life. As our friends and neighbors see us receive our children as blessings not as nuisances we show them the very heart of God towards His children. Despite the difficulties and discipline (or more rightly, including both of those) there is an ongoing offering of ourselves for the sake of our children to care for, protect and celebrate with them. I love to know that God feels and acts in similar ways, though much, much greater in scope and depth, towards me and all His children. When we first had Noah and I was walking through the hospital I was elated over the new possibility that I could sing to him and over him and that one day he could recognize and love me, and maybe even join in the song. In that instant, God's Spirit illuminated this truth to a greater degree than ever before that He had lavished such love on us that we are now His kids. And it is as beloved children that we seek to be imitators of God. So I am encouraged this day that our homes, our children, our spouses, our very breath is all a gift from God and this minstry to our families is by His mercy. I posted some newer pictures of the boys and Jen. Noah was a little sick yesterday but seems to be over the whole thing. Tucker is cutting at least 2 teeth, maybe 3 right now. We are just cranking along with life and seeking to do all of life for the glory of God.
