Love so Amazing...

This weekend was full of love for us. Not only were all my girls home but we had Katie's first bridal shower. And it was a Christmas Shower to help her decorate her own home next year. So much fun!

For those of you who grew up in Atlanta, the shower was at the Swan Coach House at the Atlanta History Center. It is a gorgeous old mansion that has been a tea room for as long as I can remember. I have been to countless showers and luncheons there over the years. It is full of old, southern charm.

Katie's aunt wanted her to have a Christmas Shower so we decided to have it before the holidays got into full swing. It was such a sweet time. All four of the grandmothers were there. All three of her great aunts were invited. Both of her aunts and her cousin came. My friends who were like a second mom to her were there. She was surrounded by women who had loved her and watched her grow. Every woman there represented a part of her. They had helped to shape her and mold her into the woman she is now. As I looked at that room comprised of mostly the "older generation", my heart was so full. It was almost more than I could bear. Such amazing women full of such amazing love for my daughter.

The one defining factor of the women in that room was not that they loved Katie and had watched her grow up but that each one of them love Jesus. The legacy of faith in that room was the blessing of the day. The stories of faith and perseverance and hope that these women have could fill the pages of a book. And they share their lives with their children and their grandchildren. My girls know their stories. Both the ones from our own family and now, for Katie, the ones from her new family. I could not ask for a greater blessing.

The morning was filled with excitement and good food and generous giving. It was filled with laughter and stories as each woman there had a memory of Christmas time in Atlanta. That's right... all twenty four ladies have grown up here. There were stories of riding the Greyhound bus to downtown Rich's. Of taking their children to have breakfast with Santa at the Magnolia Tea Room. Of shopping in the secret Santa shop. And every one of us had a story of riding the Pink Pig! Priceless memories. Priceless legacies. Priceless love.

I am not sure if my heart can take another seven months of this but for now I am treasuring up the blessings. I am so thankful for each of them. Yes, there are issues that exist in each of the families and there are hurts that have come along with the years. There are heartaches and loss attached to those women. But through it all there is Jesus. His Amazing Love has brought us all triumphantly through the years. Through the issues. Through the hurts. Through the heartache and loss.

May that Amazing Love carry you through this season and beyond as you leave a legacy of faith and love for the next generation. 

Jesus Messiah, name above all names

Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel

The rescue for sinners

The ransom from Heaven

Jesus Messiah, Lord of all!

Love so amazing...