cool September nights

My mom was an amazing quilter/knitter/crocheter and always had some project going. When we were kids, almost every night during the warm months, my dad would take the four of us outside for a game of Everywhere Tag, a game of our own invention, while Mom would sit inside with her quilting and an opera (usually Gilbert & Sullivan's The Gondoliers) spinning on the record player. Mom had to cover all the windows of the house with quilts, all of which she had made, so that no light leaked outside to ruin our game. In the winter months, Mom moved her quilt from the living room to her bedroom, while we took over the house for a game of Whiffle-Ball Tag. I don't know how many gifts Mom was able to make during these evenings, but they were numerous.

I look back at those times and think that my parents were really wise. They were wise to see that Mom needed some time of peace and quiet. They were wise to see that Dad needed some time by himself with his kids. They were wise to see that we needed to shout and play with each other peaceably. They were wise to find appropriate outlets for all of these needs.

On this cool September night, I can picture myself running around outside with a flashlight in chase of my dad and my brothers and sister, while echoes of "Buon Giorno, Signorine" float out the window. I'm thankful to God for wise parents who deliberately worked together for these memories.

It's not ten minutes later since I first finished this, but from the house behind ours I hear screaming, violent, shrieking--a father, a mother, a child. Sin has made captives of us all. But for God's grace, I am that child. But for God's grace, I will be that mother. I cannot imagine the pain. They are suffering. Yet, we, in our way, suffered, too. John Piper says, "Therefore, God ordains suffering to help us release our hold on worldly hopes and put our 'hope in God' (1 Pet. 1:21). The fiery trials are appointed to consume the earthly dependencies and leave only the refined gold of 'genuine faith' (1 Pet. 1:7)." It was true for us. I pray it will be true for the family in the house behind ours. And I pray it will be true for yours.