Hold on to the moment

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

  Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is for one to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in all the labor in which he labors under the sun all the days which God gives him—for this is his [allotted] part. Also, every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, and the power to enjoy them and to accept his appointed lot and to rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God [to him].

  For he shall not much remember [seriously] the days of his life, because God [Himself] answers and corresponds to the joy of his heart [the tranquillity of God is mirrored in him].

The family reunion is ending today . Lori's younger sister , husband and new baby left us on Thursday. Today Lori's middle sister , husband and 7 children head out , followed by Lori and I and Her parents . The week has gone by very fast . IT was a good time .balanced by communal meals and discussions , and individual groups learning about each other and sharing with each other .

I spent most of my time enjoying my in laws reactions and delight in their Family. Both Becky and Jim spent a lot of time in service to us ..meal preparation , watching over the children , picking things up and moving things from one area to another ...Both of Lori's parents have servant hearts ..and that seed has been passed onto the Daughters , and you can see it in the children as well .

There were times when both Becky and Jim just watched and enjoyed the presence of the family . On Friday night each of us gave testimony of what We were thankful for , and what we believed God was teaching us . Jim's comment really stuck with me , that God was teaching him to enjoy and reflect on the joy of a smile. We often take the simple joys for granted ...

Jim and Becky had prepared some photo Albums for people to view , photos from their past . On several occasion some of the children and some of the Adults would gather around Jim as He shared his past through the assembled photos . What precious memories were created there !

Over the years , poets, lyricists and novelists have tried to comment on the rush of time ...Some of us are obsessed with How fast our lives go by and often how " poorly " we hold unto each day each moment in our eagerness to see what is the next moment .

One day you are marrying your child hood sweetheart , your children are racing around the dinning room table , and you look up to see eight grand children laughing and smiling at each other .

This was a special time . It may be a while before it is repeated ....as it has been a long time since the last Family gathering ..As human beings we often get distracted by the unnecessary ..and ignore the truly important stuff of life . The joy of family , the gentle murmur of conversations and those wonderful smiles of delight.

I think of my own family , and realize that what I miss the most is not the stuff my father was able to provide me with , not the cupcakes my mother baked , what I Miss more than anything else is their presence . And yet I know if I were to be able to have my own "Emily " moment and relive even one day of life with my family I would squander that day , Very few of us live in the moment. The Poet may see infinity in aq grain of sand , can we see Gods grace in the moment that we have in our embrace ?