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Monday, November 7, 2011

Straightening Out the Tangles

My husband and sons were off in the mountains last week, camping and hunting, which left me rattling around all alone in this big old house.  I painted, I wrote, I took baths, went for drives, got away with my girlfriends...all uninterrupted.  There were moments that were glorious and quiet (my family is very loud & they love to irritate me with their loudness), but I realized, more often than not, I missed those interruptions.

Families become knitted together, threads all woven into one piece of beautiful tapestry. Our six kids are all so different from each other and the color they bring to the tapestry of our family is vibrant and beautiful and it would be incomplete without them.  Strange, how we can long for some alone time, just not too long.  Our minds wonder, again and again back to the others, wondering what they're doing, hoping they're enjoying themselves.

Sometimes a family member hits a snag, gets tied up in knots, becomes tangled.  Do we just cut their thread out of the tapestry?  Our hearts band together as we all slowly and painstakingly help to unravel and make straight the messy threads.  Sometimes they can even become so worn in a place that they actually break.  That's when painfully and joyfully, we intertwine our threads with theirs until they are whole again.

Families can be messy, tangled and complicated.  They take commitment, hard work and dedication.  I'm so thankful for the family God placed me in.  I was chosen for this family and they were chosen for me!  And our tapestry is beautiful, even if it has a few snags and rough places.  Take a moment to ponder the color and texture that each member of your family brings to your tapestry!

I'm so glad my men are back from their trip.  When I heard them pull in the driveway, my heart sighed and I felt settled again.

My journey of a life of gratitude continues.  I'm so thankful for:

113.  The rain I hear outside my window that is turning the dust back into earth.
114.  The men getting get away by themselves for 8 days, doing what they love to do.
115.  Surviving two earthquakes while they were gone with no major damage.
116.  A wonderful day away with soul sisters.
117.  A resolved conflict with someone who I love very much.
118.  Learning to rely on Him more and more, everyday.
119.  My praise & worship music that takes me right into the throne room of God!
120.  The life of my mother who taught me everything I know about family.

If you'd like to see what others are thankful for, check out Ann Voskamp's site, A Holy Experience.



From His Lap,

25 comments:

  1. Sometimes we need time away from our families to realize how blessed we are. I'm alone now, loving it but looking forward to a house full again.

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  2. You're right, Shanda. I did love my time alone, but couldn't wait for them to get back!
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

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  3. Gosh – where do I buy the book!!!!!!!!!!!!??? This one is so beautiful. What a great analogy about families.
    Dianne

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  4. Dianne,
    You find me some investors and I'm there!
    Love you!!!
    ~Erin

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  5. beautiful, as always.
    i'm glad you got to enjoy time with loved ones while your guys were away. but, refreshed at how glad you are to have them home.
    it's sad when you hear how many women just constantly want their husbands out of the house.
    don't get me wrong, there are plenty of times, i need alone, me time...and like having the house to myself.
    but, to miss them and realize what you have...is a blessing.

    i hope your week is beautiful. your words on my last post brought me such happiness. i'm so thankful for your encouragement and blessings. thank you, erin.

    lots of love to you!
    xoxo
    maria <3

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  6. Precious, as always. What a blessing to be bound together through His Love, even when it's "messy."

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  7. Beautiful thoughts. How nice to have family and friends.

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  8. Aw, Maria, thanks. I love your blog and your journey. I follow it closely (not a stalker though!) and you are a blessing to me! I too, don't like to hear wives bash their husbands. We are to build each other up!!
    xo,
    ~Erin

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  9. Amen, Anne...bound together through love even when it's messy!!
    You bless me!
    ~Erin

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  10. I have wonderful family and friends, Walking with Oaks! I hope you do too. Thanks so much for stopping by!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  11. I too loved the comparison to a tapestry and I love the photos you chose. Families are indeed a challenge at times. Once again very timely for me, as I grapple with a troubled sister-in-law who causes drama and chaos wherever she goes. It is exhausting and honestly, I don't know how much more of her I can take. She has caused a lot of damage in the family and in my marriage. I pray for her but also need to protect myself from her dysfunction. I don't know really how to handle that.

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  12. Michael Ann,
    When you have tried repeatedly to work something out with someone and they keep being destructive, you have to cut away for a while. I wasn't speaking of abusive situations!! I'm so sorry that you are having to go through something like this. I pray that God will give you comfort through this and shield you and your husband from any further harm from it!!!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  13. I love the way you used tapestry to describe the threads of family. So glad you made it through the earthquakes safely and so happy to know your favorite guys are back home under the same roof again. Love your list of thanks...especially the obvious love you always describe of your mother. :)

    Love you,
    Rosann

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  14. Beautiful post Erin. Thought of you as soon as I heard of the quakes. So glad you are fine.
    Blessings...Chelle

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  15. Erin,
    I echo the other comments, love the tapestry analogy. It paints a beautiful picture not only of our family but our larger family of believers. Beautifully written. Blessings to you today,
    Susan

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  16. http://thenetherlands3.blogspot.com/

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  17. Rosann,
    Today, Oklahoma had a tornado on the ground and an earthquake aftershock at the exact same time! It was crazy!
    I loved my mom more than life!!
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

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  18. Susan,
    Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so honored that you stopped by. I love the tapestry analogy too!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  19. Hi Erin - I love it when I have uninterrupted time to myself (hardly ever happens!) but I also so enjoy when everyone is back in the fold! Love the analogy of family as a huge colourful tapestry. One to continuously work on!
    God bless
    Tracy

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  20. Amen, Tracy.
    Those alone times are precious and they make us appreciate our families even more!
    Love ya!
    ~Erin

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  21. Hi Erin,
    This is so beautiful, so true. I'm glad your thread has been woven into my tapestry.

    Susan

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  22. Thank you so much Erin, for your comments and your prayers about my sister-in-law. Still trying to figure it out. I appreciate your thoughts so much.

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  23. I will continue to pray for you, Michael Ann. Family differences can be so painful. Thank you for keeping me updated.
    Blessings to you, sweet friend!
    ~Erin

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  24. that is really lovely! congrats on being a featured member on VB!

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  25. Thank you so much, Lulo!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

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