We had just finished eating black-eyed peas (for good luck, of course!) on New Year’s Day. We were sitting around a jig-saw puzzle, the four of us. The remaining ten of our noisy, lively group was scattered around the house, watching a football game, reading, playing video games. One of Anna’s three friends that had been spending time with us over the holidays quietly commented, “You don’t scream at each other here. How does that work?” Another of Anna’s friends replied, “They don’t allow it.”
I had never really thought about it. I guess we don’t allow it. It all comes down to respect, kindness…..love, really. Oh, there are the occasional harsh words, disagreements, usual sibling rivalry stuff that we continually work on. But, it was nice to know that at least for this girl, our wild-mayhem-crazy-sort-of-family was a place of peace and rest.
May we all find peace amid our mayhem.
I had never really thought about it. I guess we don’t allow it. It all comes down to respect, kindness…..love, really. Oh, there are the occasional harsh words, disagreements, usual sibling rivalry stuff that we continually work on. But, it was nice to know that at least for this girl, our wild-mayhem-crazy-sort-of-family was a place of peace and rest.
May we all find peace amid our mayhem.
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Col. 3:15-17 (The Message) Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
you are truly amazing... i can't stop telling people about how great the many meadows are! you blow me away! i have fallen in love with the heart that you guys have, and this story was just another reminder... and i have said it 60 times but i'm going to say it again... who are these MEADOWS??? lol! but i truly see the heart of a family that truly loves God and that yearns to be more like him... your making me realize more and more... can't wait to see what the next lesson is from the many meadows... what time does school start? LOL i might need to sit in for a class or 2 to speed up my learning process :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is so good, Robin. We went to the Family Vision conference this weekend and your post kind of lines up with a lot of the message we got there. I have no doubt that your home is full of respect and kindness and love!
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think I keep coming around? ;) hee hee. Honestly, I FEEL the peace at your house. Even when it's mayhem, it's peaceful. I feel at rest there. Thanks for welcoming me with open arms. Love you!
ReplyDelete"They don't allow it." THAT had to feel great to hear! I remember growing up in my parent's house. My friends thought we were strange because we had one of those crazy families...that actually enjoyed each other. My parents, THANKFULLY, didn't allow lots of stuff! :)
ReplyDeleteBrittney and Abbi-you're welcome here any time!! Thanks for your sweet words.
ReplyDeleteDeleise--family vision--a great thing!
Kim - glad you had such a great family---I did too.