Family Day Slides On

 

                                                 Cousins heading down the hill while Grandpa looks on 

1 Would you bless our homes and families, Source of life who calls us here;

in our world of stress and tension teach us love that conquers fear.

Help us learn to love each other with a love that constant stays;

teach us when we face our troubles, love's expressed in many ways.

2 When our way is undemanding, let us use the time that's ours

to delight in simple pleasures, sharing joys in gentle hours.

When our way is anxious walking and a heavy path we plod,

teach us trust in one another and in you, our gracious God.

                                                  Voices United 556

Yesterday we attended worship in Trenton before heading to near Peterborough, for a Family Weekend sliding party at the home of our daughter Jocelyn and her family. Her husband Jeff's family was there and lots of their friends. They have their own impressive hill enthusiastically used by a passel of kids and a good time was had by all. It was wonderful to see cousins and cousin-ish children connecting and just goofin' around. It was also a delight to see the newcomers to Jeff's siblings' households, a couple of adorable infants. 

I've read and heard a couple of pieces on the changing nature of family in our society and the gradual downhill slide of cousin connections (I couldn't resist). I actually had little contact with extended family growing up and the same is true for Ruth. We were both preacher's kids so weekend gatherings weren't possible and in some respects that was the case for our children. But in our society as a whole the tendency for families to be smaller and to spread out over greater distances for work means that cousins don't get to know one another as well. 

During the few summers I was involved with the Algonquin Park Ministry we noticed that there were extended families camping together, often boisterous and happy. They were usually immigrants families from the sound of their conversations and the wonderful fragrance of their food. 

Our soon-to-be-son-in-law would probably chuckle at this. His background is Dutch and his family has get-togethers of biblical proportions, including camping weekends which a multitude of lively cousins. 

We were grateful that our children grew up in a congregation with many children.Their church family friendships were wonderful. This form of connection is waning in our culture as well, sad to say. 

I do wish you an enjoyable and blessed Family Day, whatever form your family takes.

3 From the homes in which we're nurtured, with the love that shapes us there,

teach us, God, to claim as family every one whose life we share.

And through all that life may offer, may we in your love remain;

may the love we share in families  be alive to praise your name.

4 Let us reach beyond the boundaries of our daily thought and care

till the family you have chosen spills its love out everywhere.

Help us learn to love each other with a love that constant stays;

teach us when we face our troubles love's expressed in many ways.