Lately I've been thinking about my family a lot. I suppose that's natural when you're far away and missing them. Sometimes it takes a bit of distance to help you to make sense of things and understand things you were too close to see before. God really wants us to see that we are loved, and our families are a huge part of that.
My family may not be one in which words of love are easily or often expressed. Love instead is measured and imparted in fierce loyalty, physical presence, and selfless servanthood and sacrifice. It is not in speech, but in action that they love.
It has taken me quite a while to realize and appreciate this. As I grow older, I understand my family and its unique characteristics and rhythms more. As I grow older, the less I puzzle in frustration and the more I find joy and feel in my heart how greatly and completely I am loved.
"When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." (Ephesians 3:14-19)
