Family Matters

I am in Valparaiso, Indiana this evening with family. A few weeks back I shared that my 94 year old Grandmother was in her last days with us on this side of eternity. She actually went to be with Jesus on Friday, March 7th.

We had a beautiful funeral in St. Louis the following week and I got to rub shoulders with people that knew both of my Grandparents....a good number of these people I had never met before. It was amazing to hear the stories of how my Grandparents had impacted so many people's lives in ways that were still entrenched in their minds to this day.

This weekend we had planned to celebrate my Grandma's 95th b-day. Little did we know that she was going to be spending it with a new body, chilling with Jesus and having a much better party than we could have thrown for her.

I am reminded of the importance of family today. It is good for me to be here. Its amazing to see my cousins and how we are all growing up. Its awesome to think that each of us, in ways that we may not even truly understand, are connected. There is no doubt that even though miles seperate us, there is a common spirit that has been passed down to us by those that have preceded us. When I hear stories about how my Grandfather wanted to be a pastor, but couldn't because he had to provide for his family after serving at war....I am hit with the reality that I am no longer, Mark Couser....living in 2008. I am the grandson of Gilbert & Dorothy Brown....and I am called to carry on their legacy until I join their party with Jesus as well someday.

What does this mean for you? You may be thinking, "Mark, thats not my family....thats you". The amazing reality is that we are all a part of God's family tree. We are all a part of the fabric that he has been weaving throughout time....your life is not meaningless, it has eternal purpose. Its not by accident that you find yourself where you are today. What you do today will echo in eternity. The same goes for tommorow and every day....our lives have a ripple effect throughout the future generations of our families and every person we set eyes on each day.

Thank God that He has not disowned us, for He has called us his children. He is calling us to live out our lives for Him so that future people would also know that they are His kids.

Today has new meaning.....

Repairs...

I got an early start on my day today. One of those "warning lights" lit up on my dashboard a few days ago and it was time for my beloved Corolla to go in for a checkup.

I fended my way through the mighty fog that covered the DFW area and even arrived ahead of schedule at my mechanic of choice. I spoke with the secretary yesterday and she said, "If you bring in your car at 7:30, we will need it for 3 or 4 hours. Just make sure to have it to us right away."

I walked in and had some casual, down-to-earth conversation with the friendly owner. I filled out my paperwork, and left the keys with my trustworthy car repair man.

I had this all planned out....no meetings this morning. I will walk a block down the street to my parent's house....drink some coffee with them and then do some work on the computer.

I repeat, "I had this all planned out."

Ha.

So, I get on the phone at noon to call on the progress of my car's repair. Surely its just a CO2 sensor or something minor. The secretary answers and she puts me on hold as she checks on the status of my Corolla (not to be confused with my Sharona). She comes back on the phone and shares with me that they have not gotten to my car yet.....

I am not a patient person, especially when it comes to my car and my time.

I am reminded of some repairs that God has been doing in my life recently. He has been so ever patient with me as I fumble around to allow him to change some things that need some changing in me. He is so patient....and yet, I get angry and impatient when a 3 hour car repair might end up taking 2 extra hours.

God's repairs do take time....but He is so ever patient with us as His process of inward transformation takes place (an event over time) within you and me.

I need to be more patient with others. I need to be more patient with God. I need to be more patient as God works to change things in me.

What warning lights have popped up on your dashboard recently? Are you getting it checked out? Our issues do not go away unless dealt with my our trusty repair man who always comes through on his promises to make repairs that are necessary....repairs that will have us running like we're brand new.

Lord, break me and repair me with your dirty, repair stained hands. Make me new so that when people look at me, all they see is you.