Familiarity

I love that word---familiarity. I love it because familiarity breeds comfort. And comfort makes us feel safe.
At the lake this afternoon---Ryan and Ellie are in Columbus spending an afternoon with Linda. Griff, Ems, and I came to the lake with some of the Moan fam. As Griffin naps, the crew took a float boat ride to the sand bar...familiarity. I painted my nails and sipped on a fresh cold beverage. Then I came up to the deck so I could hear the worship music better and laid on the bench, looked up at the tree for awhile. I love trees. And this one is familiar. I have been coming and looking at this tree since I was a sophomore in high school. The lake, the sounds of the waves; familiarity. But even though familiarity is comfortable, it isn't forever.

I can't help but think about Ryan and Ellie sitting with Linda in her condo this afternoon. That condo is a recognizable, familiar place. Pork loins and mashed potatoes. Her famous bow tie spinach pasta after a long day of teaching in Westerville. Lots of chit chatting at that counter as she washed dishes. Countless bridal and baby showers and Christmas snacks in the condo's party room...can't even count. Grandkids dancing all over that living room. Ellie bringing her bike to ride to show Mimi, the summer before she turned 5. It's familiar and it's safe. But it's not forever. And Linda isn't going to be with us for much longer.

Just makes me want to cry. And curl up in a ball, because life goes fast. But obviously that's not the best solution. :) We have hope in Jesus and we don't exist on this earth, looking at this great tree here at the lake, just to feel familiar and be comfortable. Man oh man, no matter what the season is, we have to know that it isn't about us. It isn't about us making ourselves feel comfy and cozy, because it ends.

The song, "In Christ Alone" just came on as I sit here. Yep. This is the truth. This is what it's about. Couldn't have come at a better time.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand