Still Saturday::of such as these...

We have forgotten the God of small things, which is mostly what he has been with us because we are ourselves small, fragile things.

We wait impatiently, sometimes hopelessly, for the burning-bush God, or the booming thunderclap God, forgetting that even a righteous man like Job cowered before the whirlwind of God's voice, that holy Moses could bear only a glimpse of God's backside.

We assume that we would hold up well against a visitation by the whirlwind God, and in our narcissistic longing we forget the God of the still, small voice, the suffering-servant God, the God who said of children that his kingdom consists of such as these.

Tony Woodlief, Somewhere More Holy

The best day ever...

I shared this story from 4 years ago at the women's study at church last week. How often do we -- do I -- complain about what I don't have and then fail to rejoice at God's goodness to others? I've never forgotten this - how 4yo Gavin demonstrated what it means to rejoice with those who rejoice, even when -- especially when -- there's nothing in it for me.

Celebrating Mason's birthday with all four grand-littles together -- for three delightful hours on a Sunday afternoon -- was pure joy.    

They are gifts of immeasurable worth -- each one of them, and I'm inspired by their examples of an innocent faith and joy in the simple pleasures of life.

With individual and unique personalities and character traits, they are both a challenge to parent (and grandparent) and a source of great delight and entertainment -- keeping us on our knees one moment and rejoicing in laughter and God's blessings the next.

Four and a half year old Gavin is a perfect example. There's no denying it -- he can be a handful. Strong willed, rambunctious and not the most compliant little boy, yet I've never seen a child be happier with any gift he is given or be a more cheerful giver than Gavin. Though he wants them back when the game is over, he often plays at giving his toys away as gifts. 

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

At Mason's party, Gavin watched with excitement as both Mason and two year old Austin opened gifts from the family. Not once did he sulk or complain that there were no gifts for him. If I had been Gavin, I might have felt sorry for myself -- the only one, except for six month old Addisyn, to not have a present to open. But standing in the middle of all the excitement, the floor littered with wrapping paper and most of Mason's and Austin's gifts opened, Gavin happily declared, "This is the best day ever."

I want to be more like Gavin -- a cheerful giver who wholeheartedly rejoices at the gifts of others.

Photos: that delightful Sunday afternoon and this mimi with all four grand-littles - Austin, Mason, Addisyn and Gavin.

I {LOVE} Sunday::to celebrate family...

But the steadfast love of the Lord  is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children...
Psalm 103.17 ESV
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

It's a party weekend for the Hunter family. Our oldest grandson Mason will be 7 on June 28th and my handsome husband Louis is 64 today, and for the second year in a row, we're celebrating Mason's birthday on Louis' birthday. The photo is Mason's birthday cake, June 23, 2012.