Photo by Kenda Beck
Written by Tina Kramer
The red lights are blinking on the digital alarm. Those two dots between the hour and the minutes look like the hazard lights you see on along the highway, warning you of some sort of emergency. The numbers state that it is 8:29 am. We were planning to leave for grandma’s house by 8:30am, but that plan will need to be modified.
Sean, my husband, calls to our 10 year old son from the bottom of his stairs, “Do you know what time it is? Have you had breakfast yet?”
Julia’s hair is up in a bun as she creates a fancy salad for the event-roasted chick peas, butternut squash with a dash of cinnamon mixed, fresh greens and feta cheese. She texted a picture of the festive side dish earlier this week. I should have remembered, but I forgot and ate the yummy roasted squash and chick peas with my pork last night. She had to make a new batch this morning. Oops! Can I blame it on menapause or early dementia?
A fake fire blazes on the TV screen while chill jazz vibes form a backdrop to our hectic “trying to get out of the house frenzy.” Water fills the sink, pots and pans clang as dad keeps the troops moving forward.
Resting in my black cushioned chair, I smile at the happy chaos of our lives. Looking up I see a solitary spit wad, a reminder that my 10 year old has discovered the wonders of spit, paper, and a plastic tube.
Julia and Amber, argue about the proper way to peel a banana. Should you start at the stem or the bottom of the banana? Amber is adamant that you must start at the stem. Any other process is unacceptable. Yes, these are the deep topics of debate for the day.
Welcome to our loud, silly and full of life family! Do we go through tough times? Yes! Do we argue and squabble? Yes, but underneath there is a delightful bond that holds the Kramer Clan together.
What delightful bonds do you have in your life? Perhaps the joy in your family or marriage has grown dim? What steps could you take today to bring some joy back into your family life? I suggest a huge pillow fight followed by a game of charades and a bowl of popcorn.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (NIV Prov. 17:22).
Prayer
Father God,
I ask that you would help the person reading this blog to be filled with hope. Maybe their marriage is in a bad place and lacks joy. Give them courage to keep trying. Fill their minds with happy memories and creative ideas for their future. You are the one who restores broken relationships. We look to You for healing in our marriage and in our homes.
In Jesus’ Name
Amen
healinghope4women 