Families

Today is a special day. Four sisters are getting together. It has been many months since we last gathered. Two of my sisters have birthdays this week and one of the birthdays is today! It is always a time of laughter and care. We share many of the same memories and care about many of the same people. There is an unspoken understanding between us that creates a beautiful bond. Today we will celebrate our sisterly love.

There are 20 years and 10 months between the first and the last daughter born to Corwin and Clara Springer. Their only son, Gerald, died suddenly of an unknown cause when he was 19 years old. It was perhaps an aneurism or an undetected heart issue; no one seems to know for sure. His loss is a sorrow we sisters all carry with us. We also share the pain of a sister who is now a widow. Our hearts all ache for the loss of our brother-in-law and the ongoing loss our sister feels.

Not all that the sisters share is painful. We also share joys! The marriages in the family have been celebrations; first our children and next our grandchildren, and the births of grandchildren and great grandchildren. There have been graduations and career successes and retirements. Life has been busy and is now slowing down for the sisters.

"Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds--his name is the Lord--and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families," (Psalm 68:4-6a NIV).

May your hearts be lifted up to the Lord and receive joy. Through God there is hope for everyone, in every situation in life. Join David, who wrote the Psalm above, in loving and praising God and you will receive hope. Amen.