Last night, my family celebrated my birthday two days early. The grandkids' schedules are full of activities so yesterday was the only day we could all get together without them missing practice or being forced to make a choice between me and the team. I love that my grandchildren are learning that making a commitment and sticking to it is important.
My husband and I, our children and grandchildren and my mother gathered at a local pizza place in town. We shared laughter, lots of food and I got to open gifts. My mother watched, smiling the whole time. Her face radiated joy. Soon her eyes filled with tears and she said, "What did I do to deserve such a wonderful family?"
I was a bit taken back. I was the recipient of my family's love and I hadn't given it all that much thought. But my mother didn't miss it. All she could see was the love and beauty of being part of a family who cares for one another. Everyone there had done something to contribute to the celebration. Even my mother handed out coins so her great-grandchildren could play games in the arcade and then she had me take her to watch the game playing.
Mom is so right. We are blessed.
My family is not perfect. We've made all kinds of mistakes in our lives and there will be lots more. But, we love each other. And I know that no matter what we face we'll do it together. Love isn't about perfection and when I think about my family I'm reminded of the book of I Corinthians, chapter thirteen - the love chapter.
Nothing is of any value without love. It's pretty clear to me that I possess everything in this world that really matters because I'm surrounded by people who know how to love one another. They even love me.
True riches are given by the Lord and the greatest gift is love.
Grace and peace to you from God,
Bonnie
Family is so important!
ReplyDeleteThe family in which I grew up was not one the commended itself to celebration.. My in-laws are nice, but with the death of my mother-in-law the cohesion of that group has changed, and I feel like an outsider.
However...as I write this there are 13 dogs within 20 feet of me, all snoring gently. Ten more in other parts of the house, and four outside.
That's my family. And I am so blessed by their love and laughing barks.
(I should say - we run a sanctuary for abused or abandoned dogs, mainly Pit Bulls.)
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2014/02/of-husbands-chick-flicks-and-god.html