Singing Sis got married this past weekend.  I dub her hubby, Rocker, on this blog.:)  It was a jam-packed week of celebration, leading up to the big day.  Rocker’s family is mostly from Australia and so the couple’s wish was that their two families spend a week together at the Lake; getting to know one another before the wedding. 

Three things stuck out to me this past week:

1.  Singing Sis and Rocker, both the youngest of four siblings, love their families very much.  And, although their music takes them around the world, it is family that grounds them and it is family that they truly hold near.

2.  Everything sounds cooler with an accent (I already knew this, but this fact was definitely solidified throughout this past week).  Rocker’s family has lived in numerous countries around the world. but his parents’ British accents and his brother’s Aussie accent were absolute delights.  I told Rocker’s mom that I wanted to hire her to come read to me the kids before bed each night in her soothing, maternal voice (picture Mrs. Darling from Disney’s Peter Pan).

3.  Rocker’s family wanted all (24) of us to sit at one table, always.  I loved this!  Their family culture is to all be together at meals, as close as possible- everyone included and a part of the conversation.  Hubby almost got in trouble when he was a foot away from the table!:)  I love their hospitable, “I want to know you and spend time with you” approach.  No distractions from relationship- they were all in and you felt that way too.  Lively conversations floated in the air in all kinds of dialects: French, Australian, British, Midwestern, Pacific Northwestern, and Southern.  All those represented ’round the table were unique and exciting in their own right- all so different- but, what did we have in common?

Love.

Love for Singing Sis and Rocker.

May
you enjoy the common hours that you share; cats on lap, and dinner wafting
through the air-

a
warm smile, a quiet space, that is not empty of depth, but full of knowing-
light. 

May
common spaces become captivating as you inhabit them together-

May
the reflection of shared memories, the waking of forward dreams; and the wonder
of the present- unwrap as gift before you.

May
your commitment strengthen and encircle as you reach out to those, held near, and
far away.

May
the oneness you share enhance the uniqueness of the other; softening edges
while glowing vividly; prism- bright.

May
the common become extraordinary, as you walk with one hand open, and the other
holding on tight.

May
you laugh at days to come, and venture, unafraid, into unknown territory.

And
may you be grounded in the common days of love- which really are not so common-
after all.

Deep Breaths:

1.  What is something your family is celebrating in the coming months?  How can you focus more on relationship, rather than tasks, at this event?

2.  Are you fully present when you talk with others?  Do you really listen to them, to their heart, or just rush through the conversation?  Speaking to myself loud and clear here!

3.  How did Jesus interact with people?  Find a few New Testament stories from the Bible that demonstrate how Jesus related to those around Him.