While it may not be everyone’s favorite time of the year, Fall is without a doubt, mine. It’s the coming of cooler days, the World Series, Jaguars football and a time to get back into a routine. I know that those who live north of us look forward to vibrant colors of red, yellow, and orange, but I will be perfectly content with our palm trees. The cooler temperature tends to provide me with a mood of contentment and peace without the sharp bite of coldness.

While all of those are good things and make me very happy, the one thing that always makes me smile is that fact that as a family we have so many birthdays, accompanied by the holidays in these months. One in September, two in October, three in November (plus Thanksgiving) and one more in December – right before Christmas! Back in the day, I can remember saving during the first eight months to meet the demands of the last four!

Now I am not minimizing the January, April, May, July and August birthdays, but it is just rapid fire those last few months. More in the last four than all the others put together! One reason to celebrate right after the other. And we have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for – as a family and as children of God. I don’t think we consider the value of celebration and how it positively impacts the lives that we have been given or the value it builds in each other.

In two parallel scriptures (Luke 7:31 – 34 and Matthew 11:16 – 19) we hear how the church people (of the day) complained about Jesus feasting, celebrating and at times doing so with the socially unacceptable people, while they followed the rules and never “kicked up their heels” a bit. In my mind they were actually displaying spiritual immaturity by considering themselves more righteous or spiritual.

Well, guess what – they were wrong then, people who condemn us now are wrong and they better get ready because God has celebrations planned for us in the future, with the biggest one spelled out in Revelation 19:6 – 9. The Bible says we are to have JOY and have it abundantly (Psalm 47:1, Ecclesiastes 9:7, Proverbs 10:28, Romans 15:13, Nehemiah 8:10, Isaiah 12:6, Philemon 1:7, and Isaiah 35:10.) If we live a cranky life, who is going to want to be around us. Sure there are lots of things wrong, but we cannot dwell on those things because they only last for moments – Joy lasts for eternity!

So Fall reminds me that I have much to be thankful and grateful for – especially you my children and family. Please understand I am NOT encouraging you get drunk and wild, because that is forbidden (Ephesians 5:18 – 33) and usually ends up causing problems for you and those around you. But we are commissioned for joy and we must follow that commission. When we are together, as flawed as we all are, we should celebrate the love that brought us into the world and be grateful for being part of an eternal heritage. What is even better is to share this joy with your friends and acquaintances. Let them be a part of our party! You’ve always known that your friends were always welcome at family night and quite frankly I don’t care if they are sinners. If that group was good enough for Jesus, they are good enough for me.

Come on now. Get your dancing shoes on. Time to get happy. It is the season of family, friends and holidays. Welcome to our home – you have an open invitation.

Love Dad