Last night was another of those family dinners when I leaned back in my chair and smiled. As I looked around the table and watched everyone, they were actively engaged by listening, interacting or processing what was said. The noise level was high, the smiles wide and the laughter loud. It didn’t matter that the table had not been cleaned off or that Merrick and Malachi were running around and the television blaring – we were content being there with one another. We were learning, growing and appreciating each other for who they were – regardless.

At this point in my life I cannot think of much else on this earth that brings me such great joy. Having family and their friends sit at my table brings a warmth and joy that nothing else can supply. It seems like all the work over the years and times of stress were a good investment because, for the most part, my family loves and respects each other despite all of our individual quirks. Ah, yes, the quirks!

As I look at the dozen or so people around both tables it is easy to name the quirks for each, yet it is also those same “individualities” that endear them to me. Some verbose and impulsive others quiet and contemplative – both adding dimension and depth to everyone else. I know that when I need something done with a particular approach or mindset, I am blessed enough to have one child or a wife that fills the bill. It’s as if God’s hand fashioned each one of them to have what we all needed for specific times and places. I love His creativity.

I also am grateful to see those quirks as part of my parents and grandparents living on – in them. It’s as if God keeps us and our ancestors alive through our children. I guess that is why He can watch as the sins are carried on to three or four generations, but His love is carried on to a thousand generations. I think that family that gives me so very much joy is His love, His joy and His blessings being carried down through the generations.

My prayer, kids, is that as you experience the family noise in your lives that you would not see it as just noise. You would see it as the miraculous intertwining of generations of your ancestors and His love and blessings being passed on for us to learn and grow from. The challenging parts from us – your mom and me and our parents. The blessings and love from God, because you are a part of His heritage that spans so very much time that we cannot even imagine all of the quirks that brought us to today. We can only remember a few things – those we choose to remember about our family and friends. But, He can remember it all and passes that to us from over 1000 generations so we can smile, laugh and experience the blessings that only those of us who love Him can experience.

May you create family noise in your home the way you have experienced it here in our home. May it bless you the way it has blessed your old dad. And, know that you have given me more joy than you will ever know – just by being who you are and all that you are becoming before Him. I love you so very much.

Love Dad