For all the heartache that can come from families and all of the family worship that can distract us from the rest of the biblical mandates there are certain events in life it seems only family can help with. For us, the past two weeks have be brutally tiring and would have likely sunk us if my folks had not come to help out. Four kids between two parents is work, but doable. Four kids (one who is nursing) with a recovering (yet stubbornly active) wife is emotionally and physically draining.

The stress of the surgery and child shuttling had perpetuated a chest cold and led to some exaggerated despondency. One particular evening I was at the “end of my rope” and just wept in a dark and quiet room. I rarely cry and the stress of my own sin, the circumstances before me and the prospect that my situation would not change soon broke me. I know brokenness is a good thing, and all that yada yada, but I have to tell you that I’d really prefer just about anything else – like a nice cool walk in the forest for instance. But that broken state led to a call for help, help that was offered days before but I had been stubborn to accept.

My folks came in town just a day after I had asked for help and their presence relieved many burdens. I was amazed that they dropped their entire life to head down and take care of their grandkids, their recovering daughter in law and her neurotic husband who happens to be their son on a day’s notice. My dad helped me catch up with all of the “man” stuff and mom got the house in order. The real help came in the evenings. Having someone else around that cares for your kids when you too tired to and just don’t want to… well, it’s just beautiful.

Mom and dad put forth the effort and showed a good bit of Christ to me this past week. More than I’ve likely shown to others in some time. I’m still in awe of it and write this now so I won’t forget about what’s just happened and what it meant.