Eight of our nine grandchildren for the night, and the power is out. If that doesn't make for an interesting evening, I don't know what would. For a generation weaned on electronic devices, reverting to the ways of the Amish was an adventure; one they probably wouldn't want to live forever, but eminently doable for one evening.
Actually, the lights went on and off intermittently, but usually were so dim we couldn't read by them. I flipped the breakers for the refrigerator and freezer, and unplugged the computer. The real harm to these devices comes when as the power fluctuates, the motors try to start and burn out because there isn't enough current to get them turning. Everything should be OK for the night, but if full power hasn't been restored by morning, we could be headed for trouble. Linda just came downstairs and told me the electric mattress pad controls are blinking on and off, and she can't shut them down. Apparently "unplugged" is more than acoustic concerts.
Fortunately, having already planned on grilled hot dogs for supper, we were good to go. Linda had already made her signature mac 'n cheese, taking it to our daughter Jessie's to warm it up. It didn't get the good crust on it that comes from baking it for an hour or so, but it would still beat Kraft's hands-down in a blind taste test. After picnicking on the floor of the entry room, we gathered everything up and proceeded to a rousing game of Balderdash and Uno. Everyone got their requisite bowl of ice cream, except for Ian, who doesn't like the stuff (?). Little Gemma entertained us with her quick smile and joi de vivre about simply everything. The evening proved one of my mottos: No one will ever look back to their childhood and reminisce about that wonderful evening spent watching TV or playing video games on their iPhone. But an evening spent gathered around a kitchen table illuminated by flashlights and iPhones, laughing at each other's Balderdash definitions, claiming and counter-claiming the Grand Poombah title, is not so easily forgotten.
In our prayers with the kids tonight, I mused on how our evening was a reflection of God himself, who by nature is Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in joyous relationship together. We were joyously together tonight, and our God was in our midst, laughing and rejoicing with us, more than reason enough for tonight's gratitude. And I get to post this even with the power down. My iPad has plenty of battery, and my phone is a temporary hotspot bypassing our WiFi, making it possible for pastor Joe to sleep contented tonight. Let us all give thanks!
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