Today was the first “Tuesday at Teri’s” of summer 2009. (The event from which I derived the title of this blog) Some of you know we open the house and pool up for anyone who’d like to come over for a time of fellowship and fun from 10am-2pm. Last year was the first year to host this and I was looking forward to the coming season. I absolutely enjoyed having more time with these great ladies and getting to know their little ones as well.
I prepped the pool area, inflated the floats, and located pool toys in anticipation for my visitors. Soon the deck/ pool area was filled with loving mothers and precious children. Toddlers toddling, babies sleeping/watching, splashing, laughing, crying (of course), snacking, shivering (water still a tad cold), playing, sharing, (learning to share), caring and conversation filled what was once a barren back deck only hours before. It was GREAT!
When the last family headed for home I began the final clean up. Such a deafening quiet filled the air that it felt like I was standing in a vacuum. From utter chaos to ultimate calm, it was as if the decking itself heaved a sigh. I stood transfixed. I can only best describe the feeling as being overwhelmed with a surge of thankfulness.
I am thankful for the privilege of knowing these women. I am thankful for the delight of seeing them grow. I am thankful for friends willing to come help care for the families. I am thankful for new faces who joined us this year. I am thankful for the chance to play with children and hold babies. I am thankful for health. I am thankful for time. I am thankful for a God who delights in the rambunctious child, the quiet child, the timid child, the strong willed child, the focused child, the social child, the grumpy child and the happy child.
As I find myself reading Ephesians, I can’t help but think of them all and say this prayer for each of our families. :
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth gets its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19)
Tuesday With Teri 
I’m understanding more and more how important it is for us to feel truly loved in this life for us to be able to understand the fullness of the love of God. Your “Tuesdays with Teri” probably do more to accomplish that in the lives of the young women than you know.
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We love you too, Teri! Thank you for opening your home and heart to us. What a beautiful prayer you are praying for our families, thank you for that too.
Oh, and if that silence on the deck ever gets too deafening just give me a call and Will and I can stop by and fill it up with some noise. 🙂
Alison
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Oh, man. I wish I could have come! I’m grateful for your friendship, dear, and I can’t wait to watch it grow.
P.S. Thursday is the new Tuesday… 🙂
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I know Heavenly Father blesses you and Scott for sharing your house and pool with all your friends. For those that have the means, it is expected that you will share and that is why you and Scott have so many blessings. I am so proud of both of you and all the things you do to bless others. I love “Tuesdays with Teri”, and the gospel centered messages you share with all of us. I love you so much. I am so blessed to have you for my daughter-in-law.
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