Long Line of Love

Last week, my family celebrated the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Uncle Joe and Aunt Anna.  While thinking of the many years of marriage that have been accomplished among her siblings and herself, my Mom recalled a country song by what she thought was the title A Long Line of Lovers.  I think that's probably some other kind of country song, but we finally determined it was Long Line of Love by Michael Martin Murphy.  

Before I share those heartwarming lyrics with you, though, I'd like to introduce you to my Mom, Kathy, and her successful-in-long-marriages siblings.  They aren't in birth order in this photo, and there's a set of identical twins (can you guess who?), but their number of years married follows their name:

Standing - Ruth, 50; Janine, 46; Judy, 41.  Seated - Anna, 50; Victor, 46; Ray, 56; and Kathy, 56.  Now folks, when you add all that up, you'll find 345 combined years of successful marriage.  And if you throw in their parents' marriage of 59 years, it comes to a whopping 404 years of faithfulness.  Now that is a heritage to be thankful for!

God is a faithful God, a covenant-keeping God who extends the blessings of His covenant to a thousand generations, and the marriages of my mother's family is a testimony to the goodness of the Lord to His children.  It is also a testimony to those of us who struggle and grow weary in marriages that have long since left the halcyon honeymoon days.  You stick with it.  You don't give up.  

My generation has not always fared so well in marriage, a testimony to the difficulties in this fallen world.  But, the true standard, a high goal, has been set for us and we have done our best to shoot for it.  And as the scripture tells us, our Father is always faithful, His promises are sure, and in Him is redemption and restoration of all things.  

I bought a beautiful diamond ring.

I offered it to the sweetest thing I knew - she said she would take it.

We started making some wedding plans

She came to me and she took my hand and said

Are you sure we can make it?I said my Grandad's still in love with my Grandma

I said my Dad still thinks my Mom's the sweetest thing he ever saw

I come from a long line of love.

When the times get hard, I don't give up,

Forever is in my heart and in your blood,

You see I come from a long line of love.

Well the years went by and we had a son

Now he thinks he found someone for him.

They're planning a wedding.

He called me up on the phone today 

Just to see what I had to say to him.

Did I think he was ready?

I said what his Grandfather used to say to me.

It's been handed down for ages - it runs in our family.

You come from a long line of love

When the times get hard, you won't give up

Forever is in your heart and in your blood, Son,

You come from a long line of love.

Many thanks and much love to:  Ray and Ginny, Mama and Daddy, Anna and Joe, Ruth and Dick, Vic and Judy, Janine and Joe, Judy and Bob.  By the grace of God, you paved the way for the rest of us.

Cameron Beau Scherrer

This morning, we were delighted to receive a first peek at little Beau, who plans to make his debut sometime around Christmas.  

In case you were wondering, his tummy is on the left and his head is on the right.  You can also see plainly that he is smiling for the camera.  

God's Best Gifts . . .

. . . quite often come in the sweet little bundle of a baby.  And our next little bundle will join his cousins in the brotherhood of BOYS!  Yes, our next grandchild is another boy - appropriately due around Christmas - and we are giving thanks and praise to his Maker for this newest gift!

              "Little Boys are Treasures"

Little boys are treasures

Who are worth their weight in gold.

And charm everyone around them

From the time they're minutes old.

They're Mommy's little darling,

They're a special pal to Dad,

And they bring the very happiest days

A family's ever had.

              ~  Unknown

Water Jump

Thank goodness that this was never encountered on a cross country course!  

               "Eunice Winkless and her diving mare."

Diptych; or City of God, City of Man

"Who is wise and understanding among you?  By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.  This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, fully of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."  James 3:13-18

The Truth of the Matter

"Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  And put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, and the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."   ~ Ephesians 6: 10-13

                                   Michael by Rafael

What Love!

Once upon a time in a faraway land where it is winter for much of the year, there was an orphanage where children waited for a family go come to take them home.  There were three little boys who waited five years for a family and they had become like brothers.  These little boys had to wait so long because they were considered "unadoptable", because they weren't physically perfect.  But, the little brothers loved each other.  

Then the time came when three families from America came and all three little boys went to new homes in another land.  But, they were no longer together.
Their new country was large and they were far apart now, but the new families understood how the boys loved one another and made arrangements for them stay in touch with each other.  

Then one day, one of the families got a phone call from another family saying that they were moving to the same town because of Dad's job!  And they did.  And not only that, they moved to a house just down the road, so now two friends, who loved each other like brothers, were together again.  The End.

This is a true story, and today I watched as the two boys celebrated their birthdays together at a local restaurant.  It was riveting to watch their great affection and love for one another, and to know that that love began in another place, faraway.  
But, is this not like the great love and kindness of the Lord?  That He would take orphaned children who were "unwanted" and not only give them families, but give them each other?  How great is the love of the Father, a husband to the widow and a father to the fatherless!  We will never be lost nor forsaken with such a Father as this.