Of Being Filled Up

This past week, my Mom sent me a text telling me that they were going to visit my sister Beth (and her family) in Illinois. We quick checked Jonathan's work schedule to see if we could go too and, miracle of miracles, the timing was right! We hit the road waaaay before sunrise on Friday and headed towards the land of corn and open wide sky. 'Twas a lovely drive. 

I love that when my family gathers together, we fill up all the empty places. Vacant seats at tables are occupied. Empty plates are piled with good food. Laughter swells in the silence. Bare arms gather up the loved ones. And all the joys shadowed by absence awaken and bloom wide at the sight of all this familiar.  

We spent mostly the whole time oohing and aahhing over the antics of The Niece and Nephew, playing outside together and just enjoying one another's company. Nothing fancy at all. Long-distance has become part of the rhythm my side of the family has adapted to and we're learning the careful dance of it. If you're aware, you'll hear the music played only when you're together. If you can slow down, you'll see how the song is woven into all this. And how it's most appreciated by those who have to live in the spaces between it's played notes. 

His surprise Ice Cream Birthday Cake :)

And, of course, there was a photo shoot. Beth needed new Christmas Card pictures of their family with the new addition of Mason. We were happy to lend our photographic knowledge to the issue. 

Seeing as how the last time I was in Illinois, we were either in the hospital or at Beth's house helping her recover from her accident, this was a refreshing visit. Beth is still healing from some after affects from her fall, but is otherwise doing great. I can't thank Jesus enough for His mercy on my sister and Mason. Jonathan snapped these pictures of us right before we left their home. Aren't Beth and Gracie just gorgeous?! 

Every time I visit the Midwest, I'm amazed at all the space. The sky stretching out, sweeping and blue, pierced by corn stalks and the occasional farm. The spaciousness out there seems to me a reminder of my smallness and yet how vast the emptiness is inside my own heart. 

 More and more I'm learning that we all have empty spaces. God created us that way. And what we choose to fill those spaces up with? It can make or break us. May we let Jesus brim us to overflowing with His graces and way of life. Our hearts can be full always with His love and the gifts He bestows. (Like unexpected time with family and all the joys that occur when we gather) May we savor these treasures in their giving and taking away. Yes, even when it's not what we would choose. Even when we have to live with good-byes. Even when it feels like our heart-thirst could never be quenched and looms hollow inside us.

He is our fullness. 

"...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you,

 being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend 

with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 

and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be

 filled with all the fullness of God."

Ephesians 3:17-19

ps. We so missed Paul, Deb, Melissa, 

Jason, Nathan and Christi. It wasn't the

same without them and I truly hope that

we can all be together very soon.