Family

So, this afternoon I took my parents to the Philly airport and said goodbye as they gathered their things to go visit my sister Becky overseas. And as I drove away I realized that this is the first real vacation they've had together in a long time, and it's the first big vacation they've had together ever. Even their honeymoon wasn't a big affair, they just drove down to Florida and went to Disneyworld. It's really because we don't have that much money, we never did. No, we're not rich in monetary wealth, but in our love and family and health, we've riches in abundance. And that's what I would choose any day. I wouldn't give up my family for anything. Sometimes, I even struggle with my love for my family and my love for God. I worry that I'll put them first, and my love for God is the only area where I won't put my family first..... though it's very hard, and I'm not perfect. Really though, I view my family as an extension of God's love. When I'm with my family, it's like he's really there with me. God with skin on, as some have said. It's an odd term, but it's true.

Thinking of my family, and how sad I am that my parents are completely out of the country, (even if it is only for 10 days!) it makes me even more upset to think of how many others don't have loving families, or take their families for granted. My heart breaks for those people. Especially for the ones who don't have loving families. One of my favorite country artists, Jimmy Wayne, had a really hard life growing up. It really shaped him into the person he is today, and his music completely reflects that. Still, reading his personal story always makes me sad, almost to the point of crying. And the same happens when I read about others in the same situation, or when I hear of families being broken apart due to tragedies and accidents. My family lives right next to highway 78, and the stretch by our house is particularly dangerous, so we've seen many accidents throughout the years. I'll never, ever forget one black morning around 6 am when I was in high school, there was a huge crash outside and we all knew it would be a bad accident. I remember praying, "Oh God, I hope no one was killed." But unfortunately, people were killed; almost an entire family wiped out due to a negligent trucker with previous marks on his record. The van he ran over held a mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, and three young boys, ages 12, 8, and 6. All but the eight year old and the grandmother were killed in the accident. I'll never forget how horrible I felt when I heard that. One second you're happily driving along with your loving family, and in another split second, it's all gone. Your entire immediate family is gone but you, as well as your grandfather. And at such a young age. How do you cope? I would fall to pieces and I'm 24, almost 25 years old. I never want to take my family for granted, in fact, I thank God for them almost every day. With every prayer I lift up to Heaven, whether spoken or not, I thank God for the blessing that is my family.


Just as a quick side note and some food for thought, my love for my family is why I HATE the story of Job in that Bible. Hate it, can't stand it. God took everything from Job, but in the end blessed him ten-fold. Yeah, except that he didn't bring his sons and daughters back. Every time I read that story, I just have such a hard time with that. This is probably why God tested Job and not me, I'd completely have failed. Folded like a napkin, as my sister would say. :) I just have such a hard time comprehending that. What does everyone else think of that, I wonder? Drop some comments if you'd like!

P.S. For anyone who would like to, please lift up my parents in prayer, that they have a safe and happy trip! Thanks! :)

P.P.S. Sprinkled through this blog are pictures of my immediate family, as well as the extended family on my mom and dad's side. We can be crazy and wacky, but I thank God for everyone.