We Are So Blessed

We Are So Blessed

Each Christmas my brother Troy and his family make their way from Dallas to Houston for a family Christmas gathering the weekend before Christmas Day. This particular Christmas was our year to host the larger family get-together, and in addition to Troy and his crew, my brother Keith and his family, my sister Kim and her family, and my parents joined us. Not counting our dog, Bella, there were eighteen of us gathered for Christmas dinner. As usual, my wife, Julee, had things just perfect, and we had a wonderful time together.

At our family gatherings, there are the usual conversations that happen as we talk about sports, politics, and our kids. We each talk about our work and then maybe make mention of our hobbies. I would imagine it is very similar to your Christmas with family as well.

On the way out the door, my father embraced me and said, “Son, we are so blessed.” I said, “Amen. We sure are.” Then he went on to say, “Yes, but even just getting together without strife is a far cry from what I grew up with.” It seems that my dad would go back and trade just about anything for peace with his family.

What if we began to think of prosperity in terms of peaceful relationships more than possessions? Proverbs 17:1 states, “Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.” We must do our part to promote peaceful relationships with those in our lives. May your family gatherings this Christmas be filled with Christ’s peace!

Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.

Proverbs 17:1