The small things...

You know, it's the seemingly small things in life that have a way of making life seem either completely lovely, or on the other hand, horribly empty. It may seem shallow, but if I can't find my "pretty cup" to drink my coffee out of in the morning I just don't savor the moment as much. Sometimes I think we take for granted the little gestures of kindness within the body of Christ, sometimes we don't realize how desperately someone needs to be pulled back into the Lord's embrace by one of His members reaching out.
One of the aspects of Croatian culture that I love is that of their close knit family structure; many times the family share a house, the grandparents on one floor, while sons and daughters share additional floors with their own growing families. Afternoons are often spent over huge lunches, while every aspect of life is discussed. I love this facet of life here, it is so special to see bonds that are so strong. But almost always, in the middle of such gatherings I am struck by a loneliness that is so piercing. When I see the Bakas helping their little grandbabies to walk I am reminded that my babies don't have Grandma here to cuddle and spoil them. It's in these times that a shield of faith has to be raised high, to guard my heart from that barrage of arrows the enemy has ready to fire right through to my heart. I have to remind myself to cast my cares upon the Anchor of my soul because He cares for me, that He cares for my children. There is no tear that falls and is wasted in the eyes of my Jesus.
So, when I come to church and am all flustered trying to keep my three little one from being completely distracting to everyone who has come to be refreshed in their faith, and a kind heart reaches out and pulls my little girl onto their lap and pats the place next to them for my son it really does bring tears to my eyes and humility to my heart. Because you see, that is what the Body of Christ was meant to do, it was meant to shoulder each other's burdens, to remember that we each have our moments of weakness and we so desperately need each other. In the Body of Christ I have the family that my heart aches for, I still will miss those that are far away, but Jesus has blessed each one of His children by understanding that those small things are really larger than life.