I officially became a Blaine 16 years ago. But I was a Blaine the moment I walked into Richard's life 20 years ago, because that's how they roll! If you ever want to see Jesus' love in action, go to my Mother in Law's house, she will feed you, chat with you and hug you and then you are family!
The Blaines are huge in numbers and coming from a smaller family, I was overwhelmed at first. Always a baby somewhere to be held and a line of people fighting over who got to hold the baby next. When Richard's nephew was born - the first one I was around for - I was so scared to hold him, I'd never held a baby that small! No judgement from then! Even though I hate pickles, they still loved me.
Whenever they got together for holidays, never an empty place to sleep, but they'd find you one. I remember the first time I saw the floor lined with cousins, thinking "this is nuts". I didn't sleep much that first night, but it was fun! No one complained and woke up the next morning smiling and ready for more!
I watched as extended family grew and grew, but the relationships between them was always so close. Taking care of each others kids, cooking with one another, stuffing 6 million easter eggs and only finding 2 million of them, watching TV, talking and just loving. Even as we got older and and had less and less time, there was always an effort to keep getting together. The visits may not include as many sleepovers but there's still 6 million eggs and a ton of food, because they are Blaines and that's what they do.
This weekend should have been the annual Labor Day cook out. Where if you've ever been a part of the Blaine Family, you are invited. Where we wouldn't hide eggs, but we would for sure cook and eat more food than should be legal. Once upon a time there would be a volleyball net with an intense gamein progress. This weekend should have had kids running everywhere, adults yelling "car" when the next member of the family came driving in. There should be a sliding door that is never closed, music and more recently campers parked in the yard from the cousins that have officially outgrown the living room floor.
But God had other plans...and that one is hard to wrap my brain around this Labor Day weekend. Richard's dad passed away Wednesday, August 31st. We weren't ready for that - not that anyone ever is, but we really weren't ready. After praying him through two surgeries, we had this hope of all being well. So when the call came, we were heartbroken. And found ourselves asking "Why God?"
I bet He hears that a lot. And here's where faith comes into action.
Why was he okay and then not?
Why was Richard out of town when this happened?
Why didn't we get more warning?
Why do we have to go through this pain?
This list could go on and on...and when you can't come up with the answers yourself, you just have to Trust God, trust that He knew everything that happened, where everyone was and why they were there. I believe in a God that has no coincidences, just a plan.
On these days where it's hard to look forward at what the future has in store, I have to look back at all He has done before and know He will do it again. We've been in grief before, He got us through, strengthened us and I have no doubt He will again.
Over the past few days, I've seen a lot of tears, but I've also seen a lot of faith. I watch the Queen of the Blaine crew, my mother in law, cling to Jesus, cling to what she knows. She is walking in her faith right now, and I know Jesus is looking at her saying "I got you, keep clinging".
I am blessed to be a Blaine, even if I wasn't born with that name, even if I don't like pickles, they still love me.
To read more about the great guy who left this world, https://www.foundandsons.com/obituaries/James-Blaine-4/?fbclid=IwAR2dnRlRBD8_dE3LC26Wjhm6be8SeuExm2-ul_IL410Gy9hk9wckXRydNSo#!/Obituary
