we are family

Ice cream, talking and more talking, swimming, laughing and some crying, games, and then more ice cream. Pretty much that has been my life for the past few days. From hither and yonder the aunts and uncles, and cousins came for our family reunion. Not a family to do things half way we have been partying in style. Amongst all the fun the fun and joking there was the quiet moments too.
One hundred and fifty some voices quoting the 100th psalm. Voices just loud enough to be heard speaking their thankfulness of the older generation. Breaking into song to sing the doxology before our meal.

Just as everyone becomes quiet some poor child who could have used a bit more sleep breaks into tears. Soon there is a whole chorus of crying. The great grandchildren reminding everyone they have a bit of maturing to do before they carry on family legacy.

I wonder if grandma ever thought she would see her family in such big numbers. When the first tiny baby lay in casket did grandpa wonder if there would ever be anyone to pass his farm onto? Could grandpa and grandma have imagined that some day there family would be scattered all over the world. Serving missions in the remote places of Mongolia and Africa and other countries, ministering with technology in Spain, and then the many who found time for a short term mission trip .

When for a few years after the baby was buried there weren't any children did they even dare to hope the family name would be carried forth? Grandma didn't know then she would go on to bring eleven children into the world. Grandma didn't know she would again have to bury a child. Not a child but a grown man, father of her seven grandchildren. Soon after grandma got to heaven herself two of her other children joined her.

 The Busenitz mansion up in heaven seems to be already be filling up quite nicely. Naturally we are happy for those who get to party in heaven, but we aren't quite ready just yet to for everybody to go up there.

No, grandma probably didn't expect this. There probably wasn't time to think with so many little children under foot and big farm house to keep under control. Grandma kept busy bringing up her children in the Lord. Teaching them what was important and what was not important. This is why today we have our family the way it is, because of the goodness of God to give us a Christan heritage. We don't deserve it and grandma may not have expected it to be carried forth to the extent it has been.

God's blessings  though are the most unexpected ones. Making us stop and thing about what we really have. One thing grandma did expect was God's faithfulness. Only God alone carried her as a young wife when she buried her first child. Each trial of life rooted grandma stronger in her faith and all of us family watched this testimony and put it into our lives. Sometimes we really didn't know the blessing God had given by letting us see His grace in action. For ever since a handsome farmer pledged his vows to a glowing bride, so many years ago it has been God's grace that has shaped our family.

By the grace of God we are family, all 200 some of us.