The Plumb Line: Blessed…Simply Blessed!

When our children were little, life was hectic (to say the least). For those who don't know the details, after nearly five years of being childless, we were miraculously (proven and verifiably—undeniably miraculously) blessed with Andrew. Then, along came Dana about 18 months later. Then, Debbie showed up 12 months later. With three little ones under three, we felt a strong leading of the Lord to open our home and adopt older "special needs" kids. Barbara and Martha came to live with us when Debbie was about 9 months old; about a year and a half later, Glen became our sixth child. With busy toddlers and older children needing special care and attention, our days were non-stop for many years. Then, Martha went off to attend Christ For the Nations in Dallas, Barbara married Freddie, and Glen found Hope (we always knew there was hope for Glen J). When Glen and Hope married, Andrew graduated high school, then Dana, then Debbie. Soon we were having grandbabies—not just a few, but lots of them! At present count, there are thirteen with another due in May. Yep, we're blessed … simply blessed!

This past weekend we were in Kentucky for our family Christmas. Glen and Hope opened up their home to the whole crew. With five kids of their own, it seemed more logical for us to go there than for everyone to travel up north to the frozen tundra where our house isn't geared for babies and there aren't ample toys to keep thirteen kids occupied while adults visit!

But this Nana is sitting here today simply full – full of wonderment of God's ability to multiply blessings! I can't express to you what it's like to hold the evidence of the love and covenant commitment my husband and I have shared for nearly 36 years, all wrapped up in little warm, cuddly bundles of love called grandchildren. Although the oldest is getting ready to graduate from high school, they're still our bundles of love, from the oldest to the youngest.

I look back at my own childhood. I was adopted and, for me, it was hard to understand the deep meaning of family. I had a great family, but there was no real "connection". I didn't look like anybody, aunts and uncles couldn't look into my eyes and see the image of their own children. There was no resemblance to anyone else. Suddenly, when my own children began to have babies, I saw their Papa's ears, their Nana's eyes, their mama's hair, their daddy's toes. There was a connection! It was a revelation that just blew me away!

But, then I noticed something else. Our adopted children's children bear the resemblance of their own parents and, undoubtedly, they have their natural grandparent's ears and eyes and hair and toes. But I see something else … I see in them some of what we imparted to their parents as they were being raised in our home. I see a love for God, a gentle and kind spirit, a need to give of themselves for others. I see in our adopted kids' children their Papa's gentle ways, their Nana's ability to love, as well as their own mommy and daddy's physical features. How remarkable is this! And, it reminds me of our own "adopted" Father, who took us—children of the father of this world—and made us His and raised us as His own. I'm reminded that we bear the resemblance of our Heavenly Father—not physically, but inside, in our hearts, our motives, our personalities, and our spirits. Yes! The resemblance is there!

I'm overwhelmed this morning with pure amazement of how the Lord can take two young people like Ron and I were all those years ago and build in us and through us such a marvelous family—not a perfect family, but a family nonetheless.

Lord, I am blessed … simply blessed! Thank You from the bottom of my heart for such a wonderful time of reunion with our children and grandchildren. I miss them all so much, but I know we're here for a reason and I've found contentment here because of You. But, Lord, this morning I ask You to bless my children—bless them with Your abundance, with Your presence, and with Your love. Watch over our grandchildren. Instill in them a heart to serve You all the days of their lives. Establish Your Kingdom in them as You increase Your Kingdom through them, from the youngest to the oldest. Lord, bless Glen and Hope, Dale and Martha, Freddie and Barbara, Andrew, Dana, and Debbie and Tim. Watch over and guard the hearts of Jacob, McKenzie, Logan, Lyndsey, Hayden, Daniel, Lydia, Joshua, Abraham, Brandon, Dylan, Levi, and Macailyn. Keep them ONLY unto Yourself. Into Your most capable hands we commit our huge and still growing family, that You might be glorified and Your Kingdom increased. Use each one, Lord, to spread the Good News that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Yes, Lord, Ron and I are blessed … simply blessed in all You have done to make us into a family. We may be a bit disjointed at times, we may suffer from the distance between us, but we are family and recognize the awesome privilege and honor to be part of Your plan and purpose in this generation. Amen and Amen!