The Gift of Family

Proverbs 3:27: " Withhold not good from them to whom it is due."

I just received a priceless Christmas gift. It was given to me this past weekend.  Up a winding road, nineteen of us gathered in a big house on a mountaintop in Tennessee:  God's gift of family. We were overdue; this connection we try to keep strong. My husband and I spend a lot of time travelling to three different states to be with our children but its been a year since all of us have been together. Way overdue!  Thanks to all of them who so graciously took time out of their busy lives to come together for three wonderful days. We crammed a lot of memories in those few hours!

We aren't traditional in our Christmas celebrations. We have never made demands from our children on "The Day". As one daughter expressed it this year:  going home is where we gather as a family.

We laughed, and how we all needed it!  Its been a tough year for some of us!  Our sons bring the gift of humor every time! We ate. The daughters are all wonderful cooks! Their gifts of homemade goodies and delicious meals are expected and appreciated!  We sang. The grandchildren gifted me with a CD of their sweet voices blended in harmony. It's a treasure; one that will generate bittersweet tears sprinkled through the long days of winter.We were all in a race to embrace one of the two babykins. Their gifts of hugs were worth more than any wrapped package. The patriarch of this clan, my husband, gifted us with meaningful prayers and the traditional reading of the Christmas Story, also very dramatically acted out by the grands, as it is every year!

Three days was about all we needed of this "goodness". We didn't want to start stepping on each others' toes and we wanted to part still loving each other :) but it was so much goodness that I cried (truth be told, I sobbed :)) when we separated.

My husband asked me, when I was trying to hide my tears in his embrace,  " Did you get enough to keep you through the winter?" Probably not, but I am filled with "goodness" and satisfaction.  I am so grateful my family gave me this precious gift.  I am grateful because it could be different! My family isn't a perfect one. We are normal, having been through some very difficult times collectively and individually. We have not been without tears and disagreements. We don't always understand each other; and could have, more than once,  disbanded or embraced hurts to separate us.

We haven't and I hope we never do! I pray our choice will always be to forgive, to lay down our differences and to love unconditionally. Its a good thing to strengthen the bonds of the connection in this precious unit of love that so deserves it.  I believe that family is God's gift to us. Giving our best to keep the family unit together is our gift to each other.

I realize family unity isn't always one individual's choice.  But I want to encourage everyone to invest in healing and forgiveness and give whatever good gifts you can this Christmas. Be the first to wrap up a spoken "please forgive me" or pick up the phone and dial that "I'm sorry".  Pass out a needed hug.  Get beyond your hurt and say "I love you." Patch up a breach with grace and tears. Preserve your family with gifts of longsuffering and patience.  Do whatever you can to bring your family together or reinforce the bond you have.   A close family is the heart and soul of all that matters. It's due; don't withhold it if it is within your power to make a difference.

Blessings and Goodness for you and your family this Christmas!