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Our Unsung Family Heroes

By March 7, 2012August 30th, 2022Devotional

Admittedly, you have read quite a bit this week about what is happening with our family. But our daughter Jill and our son Andrew have been the unsung heros in all of our recent tribulations. Jill loves in Oklahoma, but since the family troubles began, Jill has been steadfast about travelling to Carmel and helping us out. Her husband Tom has been tied up with his own business in their home of Reydon, but Jill and their son Drew have taken several trips up here, by car, to help out her sister. Running errands, sitting, shopping, whatever – she has been a Godsend to us.

This time, Jill arrived last Thursday and she has been indispensable in assisting us with planning and executing the next steps for the family. She has been a rock of support for Kristin and she has served selflessly when it would have been much easier for her to stay in Oklahoma. But that’s not how this family rolls.

The same goes for Andrew. He has been incredibly kind and has assisted Janet and the girls when he has his own business to run and has more to do that one can possibly imagine. Yet, he has also been a solid help in all this.

Rather than go into tremendous detail about things that will bore you to death, let me just say that things are much different than when the kids were much younger. Then, there was more sibling rivalry and jealousy about who was getting what – including our attention. Now, it’s much different and the kids all pull together when anyone in the family is in need. As a parent, it is a great thing to see.

Perhaps you have seen that kind of growth in your own family. Sometimes, as in the case of Janet and her sisters, there doesn’t ever seem to have been an issue with sibling rivalry and jealousy. I think her parents did a much better job that my folks ever did. My brothers and I used to fight like cats and dogs about almost everything. Still, to this day, we are very vocal when it suits us. And, frankly, our kids were much the same way when they were younger.

Throughout the years, Janet has been worn thin by the intensity with which the rest of us presented our positions. And none of the kids, nor I, are easy going. So it is truly a blessing since they have learned the value of family and the solidarity that comes from knowing that you are surrounded by people who truly love you and will do anything for you.

The verse for tonight comes from Heb. 6:10, and reflects on how God values people who help one another. We are told, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Enough said.

So, tonight my encouragement to you is to let you know that God loves those who reach out and help others in their times of need. Sure, we say that we do that for friends and family; and sometimes for those people we don’t even know. But there is a special place in God’s heart for families who bind themselves together in a tight community of caring and compassion. My prayer is that if you don’t have that type of family, God will provide you the means and the encouragement to work harder to bind your kids together – like in Janet’s family. It’s really something great to witness and I am pleased that our family is getting there also. Thanks again, Jill and Andrew. Mom and I love you and appreciate your commitment. Grace and peace to all of God’s people………….

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