Weeping with joy, he embraced Benjamin, and Benjamin did the same. Then Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and after that they began talking freely with him. [Genesis 45:14-15 (NLT)]

My husband and I cautiously found our way through the minefield of blocks and toys on the floor, retreated to our bedroom, and closed the door. Simultaneously, we both said, “It’s so loud!” Being “empty nesters,” we’re accustomed to our routines and a clean quiet house. I admit it: we’re old folks and “set in our ways!” You see, we had been blessed by a family visit; four families and three generations had gathered under our roof!

Sometimes our blessings come with noise; they leave toys on the floor and dirty dishes in the sink. Sometimes our blessings cry, as babies do, or spill, as three-years old do. Sometimes our blessings never seem to run out of energy, like the older cousins, or stay up late talking, like the siblings who are usually separated by thousands of miles. Sometimes our blessings watch TV until all hours, talk all at once, or forget to put on a new roll of toilet paper. Sometimes our blessings leave wet towels on the floor and sometimes they argue with one another. Sometimes our blessings leave an empty gas tank, break a dish or eat the brownies hidden in the freezer for other guests. Do I have any complaints? Not a one. Did I heave a sigh of relief when the last departed? Yes! Am I looking forward to next year? You betcha! Why? Because, every minute spent with family is a moment to be cherished.

Although the venue will be different and no two families are alike, I imagine your family gatherings are not all that dissimilar from ours! There’s a little stress, a few tears, plenty of noise and disorder, but lots of love and joy!

Thank you, God, for the blessings of family and family reunions. Thank you for the chaos, confusion and happiness that come when we all gather together. Every family is made up of imperfect, quirky, disparate people and none of us are easy to get along with all of the time. Thank you for your gifts of patience, love and laughter that make it all possible.

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. [Psalm 127:3 (NLT)]

For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. [Psalm 100:5 (NLT)]