Thinking about Family and Relying on God’s Strength

I am now two days late on posting a Friday Verse Journal entry. I had just returned from a wonderful and blessed family reunion in Wisconsin. There were so many there that it was nearly impossible to visit with everyone and to learn what each wonderful relative has been up to. We came from many different directions to attend this reunion and far as I know, I was the only one that came from Minnesota! I am also the relative that had my hair pulled by a monkey when I was much younger. That was a question given in a children’s game that was taking place at  the reunion.  Some  relatives came by plane, some by car, and some came with great stories to tell and reminisce.   Our family is very large with many cousins, aunts, and uncles. I think some of the  younger cousins were a bit overwhelmed.

Speaking of the younger cousins in the family, I had a wonderful time playing with two little ones in the pool; they both wanted help to climb up on this lily pad-acorn-like raft and then they would jump off filled with smiles and laughter. While still at “Water World”. my young niece pretended to be my motor while I was relaxing on my floating tube and she propelled me all around the ‘lazy river’. So, instead of floating gently along, I was in my own ‘speedboat’ passing by everyone else. Then another very young toddler wanted me to play with him  in the sand. By this time I had already soiled my clothes by spilling a drink so I though, “Well, why worry about a little dirt?” He also was full of smiles as he built his version of a castle in the sand. Some of the more wilder cousins  along with my sister daringly jumped into the nearby lake, clothes and all!  One dear cousin didn’t want me or my other sister to feel left out so she  sneaked up from behind and gave each of us a great bear hug so that we too were sopping wet and felt beary loved. How appropriate since we were staying at the Three Bears Resort. Although, I have returned home, others are still traveling and i wish them all well in their journeys.

Anyway, after spending hours on the road, I was very thankful to safely reach home. I was also very tired from the events of the last three days and needed to rest. During that brief time of rest and restoration, I focused on God and how so good he is. I was reminded of how I needed to rely on his strength and not my own.  I am often weak and my strength often fails me. I also need to listen when he seems to say, “it is time to rest.”  So today, Sunday, I am resting, focusing on God, and relying on his strength to restore me:

Isaiah 41:10 (Holy Bible Revised Standard Version):

“Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God: I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”