Family and Holidays

We have 5 children, lots of spouses of children and 4 grandkids.  They all came to our home this Christmas.  This meant:

1. Several trips to BHM airport.
2. Finding beds for all.
3. Preparing food for all.
4. Having a huge pile of Christmas presents.
5. Lots of entertaining conversation.

Last Christmas, someone broke out an old VHS tape of our kids in Houston 22 years ago.  We were shocked at the chaos of 5 children most all talking at once all the time!

The chaos is mostly gone, the residual chiefly coming from the grans.

Now we rejoice that:

1. All are healthy.
2. All get along in harmony.
3. The grans are cooperative and well-behaved.
4. All show love to one another.

We see the way G^d has provided so richly for us in so many ways.  Ps 133:1 tells us, "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers (and sisters) dwell in unity!"

For parents, this is a tremendous gift. We are tempted to take credit when children of all ages do well, and we blame ourselves when things don't go so well.  That's why I tell new parents to memorize Ps 127.  The first few verses remind the discerning reader that  we have only a small influence on our children.  Here's the Psalm:

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

¹ Unless the Lord builds the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
² In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
    for he grants sleep to^[a] those he loves.

³ Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
⁴ Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
⁵ Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents in court.

So, rejoice, morn, but keep in mind those first verses.  Don't forget, our fulfillment is from G^d by design, so don't look for fulfillment in the worng places.

Now, if I can just do that!