Blessings Expected and not Expected

How many years have we marked the end of summer by spending a week at the Outer Banks with as much of our family as we can? Three out of four grown children have usually been there. The grandchildren have grown from two til now there are 8. They range in age from 1 1/2to 10 1/2. Each year we marvel at the variety of their abilities revealed in their play as well as in their conversations. Saturday we arrive and the next  Saturday we leave with sand in our shoes and gratitude in our hearts

The week of Labor Day attracts many to the resort and many leave together clogging the lanes of traffic as we continued with our pattern of stop and go driving. Home lay a short distance ahead when suddenly at what may have been 20 miles an hour our heads were suddenly jerked as we were rear ended. Not exactly the way I'd choose to end a vacation.. There was a place to pull off of 95 while we waited for the state trooper who interviewed both motorists.

That morning Steve had mentioned to all of us that this would have been  his father's 106th birthday. Each of those who had known him treasured every memory of this kind and Godly man. That morning conversation seemed long ago as we waited on the trooper. He announced it would take him 10 minutes before the paperwork would be done. Shortly after he spoke Steve's cell phone rang. It was his brother Fred wanting to share memories of their dad. That gentle conversation between 2 brothers caused the tension we were feeling to lessen.

We have prayed for the young man who was driving the other car. He is in his early 20s . As is often the case for many of us at this age he still seemed like a sailor trying to get his sea legs.

I am not happy to end our week with an accident and yet what a great opportunity to rejoice in the rock solid parents we have had especially Steve's dad who demonstrated humility and trustworthiness.We can also rejoice in the opportunity to connect and then pray for the other driver. Most importantly we can rejoice in the nurturing care of our heavenly father who blesses His people from generation to generation.

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