As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Sunday, November 22, 2009

Weekend Pleasures

Oh, don't the weekends fly by! Although, as Ron often reminds me, the weeks fly by too. As do the months. And the years. And so, I am told by those who have lived longer than I, does a lifetime.

Sometimes I feel a little guilty for getting so much pleasure from simple things. But then I consider that these are blessings given to me at this time...in this moment...at this season of life. And if I acknowledge that these are blessings directly from His hands (which indeed they are), and if I am willing to hold loosely onto the earthly, while holding tightly to the eternal, then I think that it is good to enjoy His gifts and praise Him for His mercy.

This weekend's memory-making moments included...

~ Umpteenth Annual Mother/Daughter Christmas Shopping Trip
I will not tell you just how many years that we have gone shopping together, because, quite honestly, I don't even know. I do know that for almost as many years as I can remember, we three have enjoyed the thrill of the hunt while strolling among festive decorations, the songs of the season accompanying our togetherness.

Sometimes a baby has joined us, or a daughter who has reached the required age of eighteen. Sometimes a new daughter-in-law, or a new grandbaby. Sometimes a mini van full of mothers and daughters...and sometimes, like yesterday, just the three of us, Mom, Linda, and me. But it's a tradition, and one that we love.



~ A lovely Sunday afternoon at the home of my oldest daughter,
a thoughtful daughter who knew that her mom would be low on energy after Shopping Trip Day (did I mention that these shopping trips are marathon events?), and invited us to share the afternoon with her family. All I had to do was show up, eat a luscious lunch, and enjoy the delightful hugs and chatter and sweetness of four grandchildren. (Thank you, Kristin and Brian!)

~ A refreshing autumn walk/run/wagon ride
All ten of us did one of the above. Choice depended on your age and/or energy level. :-)


~ Two little girls who spoke with British accents. :-)
This was too cute. The prim-and-proper Bekah and Maddie said things like "I can't believe he ran through the dirt," (speaking of Gavin who cared not a whit about being prim-and-proper on an autumn walk), and "Let's go see the kitty," all in their most high society British accents.


~ A phone call from across the miles
An opportunity to "visit" with Ryan's family via speaker phone, catch up on each other's news, and hear the sweet little voice of two-year-old Eve as she says, "I love you, Gran!" (Can you hear my heart melting?)

***

Yes, these simple pleasures are gifts from my Father. And I will praise Him for His goodness to me.

4 comments:

  1. Good Morning, Cheryl ... I enjoyed reading about your weekend activities. Your annual mother/daughter shopping expedition is a precious tradition, going far beyond the mere joy of shopping. When I think of the word "family", yours is one of the first that comes to my mind as an example of what a godly family looks like. Thank you for sharing your photos and your memories. I love the fact that you savor the simple pleasures given to you by a loving Father. (Frances)

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  2. What a sweet post, Cheryl! Family "together time" is so precious! I especially loved the British accents! And the phone call with a two year-old's voice from afar... Jack is now speaking to Pop-Pop on the phone, and I was told he came out of the church nursery with a Fisher Price lady in his hand and said "Nana!" (Short and round?)
    :-D

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  3. So glad we shared in most of your weekend activities...and some year when the right season returns I hope to join in the shopping trip again.

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  4. precious jewels! thanks so much for these!

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