GOD PLACES THE LONELY IN FAMILIES Psalm 68:6

FAMILY. It's where life begins and should be, ideally, where it ends. And all in between.

We were not designed to be alone. We were designed to 'fit' somewhere and that 'somewhere' is meant to be our own kin, or 'kind'. Our own 'place', where we know and are known. It should be that safe place where we can bump along together, like rough stones in a bag, knocking the sharp edges off one another; where we first learn patience, long suffering, to be kind when we are annoyed, to share, to say sorry, to serve.

Family.

That word can conjure up warmth for many, pain in some, and longing in others. We need, all of us, to belong. If family has been a disappointment, a wounding experience, a place where you cannot be, then a substitute family is found, for we must all fit somewhere.

I grew up in a small, secure, loving family, rich with stories, heritage and faith. I wanted to reproduce this.

My husband grew up in a dysfunctional family. Abandonment, violence, disappointment, were his norm.

His friend, however, had a happier home life and when Dean visited that home, he came away sad and wanting, for it exposed to his impressionable mind, what he lacked.

He grew up determined NOT to reproduce his experience, but rather to build a happy home. He met God one day, who put him on a new path, with loving and patient guides, who showed him what a home life COULD be like and he wanted in!

We met. We married. We birthed a dream. A large family. We soon got started with a promise from God; that HE would help us and provide, if we would trust HIM.

We did and He did!

5 beautiful boys later, we marvelled and wondered if we were done. But God gave us a new dream. There were little girls in this one! And so they followed, the "pink icing on the cake," we said. 3 little sisters. Surely now, we had 8, we were done!

"Will you trust Me?"

"Yes!"

And grace followed grace. Heavenly kindness kissed us again and 2 more boys were added.

NOW my body was tired! We had 10!

"Not yet," He said.

A beautiful daughter arrived.

But instead of an end, there was a new beginning. A powerful dream. A name. A promise. A daughter yet to be born of such delight.

Then a miscarriage...

And another...

And another...

And another...

Sorrow upon sorrow. Confusion. Deteriorating health. Surrender. Let it be, Lord. Amen.

A rainbow appeared! The storm over, Tabitha arrived!

NOW we are done! 12 is a good number! We're finished...right?

Body failing, tired, exhausted. We face loss, grief, near death surgery, financial uncertainty and painful life lessons. Burn Out.

Then, REVIVAL! Miracles! My life, transformed. Tenderly, God draws out the poison and heals me to my core. Finally, my strength gone, and I learn how to live from His. I am weak. But He is STRONG! I am tender, yet tough. Vulnerable, yet firm.

"He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord."

Psalm 40:2-3

Then God says, "Look up. We're going to climb a mountain. We're going to climb it together."

What can He mean?

He tells me to learn how to rest and curiously, to look after my feet. He tells me to eat well and get strong.

"Where are we going?" I ask. Silence.

1st son married.

2nd son married.

Months pass in a swirl of satins and silks and suits!

Then, a few days 'late', I take a pregnancy test. It's positive. I turn 45 a few days later!

"You will live to be very, very old, Emma." God says.

All fear is gone. "What is 45?" I laugh. "I'm barely half way!"

A mountain stands before me and step by painful step, we ascend. I walk through fire to bring him into the world. Abraham. In the blur of blood and pain there is such sweet joy. The Lord never left my side.

And finally, we step across the finish line. For that part of the journey.

8 months later, our first grandchild is born.

Then another.

Then another.

More weddings, more special days, more birthdays to celebrate, more days of sickness to care through, more 2am emergencies to bring in urgency to Jesus.

MORE.

Jesus said, " My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." John 10:10

There is ALWAYS MORE to life with Christ. Guaranteed.

Every family is different.

Every family is seen, by God.

Every family has potential to release a beautiful fragrance into the world, or not. To heal, or to harm;

to build up, or destroy; to breathe life, or to curse it.

We grew a large family, because we love God, we love children and because that is what He asked of us. We love building a home where He is loved and honoured, where people are welcomed and never, ever, lonely.

We want those raised in our likeness, to go out and be His likeness- to love people who need to know where they fit, who need to know who their real Father is- the One who holds the key to our true identity.

#EmmaBell #BigFamilies #TheBells #ClimbeveryMountain #Faithjourney #Aretheyallyours #largefamilies

#pearls #childrenareablessing #13kidsandcountingon #arrows