“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”’ Nehemiah 8:10

This last weekend the McCay Clan celebrated Christmas! Yes, I know it is the end of February. But due to work, other commitments and just plain life, we had not really had the opportunity to get ALL of us together in one place in December. The children hadn’t even exchanged gifts yet! So the event was organized, food was made, gifts were wrapped and we all planned to enjoy each other.

For a couple of us, the 1 hour trip turned into 2 because of traffic. Last minute calls for food and supplies were made on the fly, but the money and time spent were just a part of the package. Each time a new family arrived I knew it, even if I was at the other end of the house. The “HEY…. YOU MADE IT,” and joys of greeting sounded out loud and clear. It seemed volume equaled joy!

Toward evening, the kids gathered out front to ride bikes, scooters and little kid die cars. Someone pulled out a ramp for the bikers to jump and it was ‘game on.’ When a cheering section was formed to encourage daring feats of action, I couldn’t set still anymore. I walked over to my grandson’s bicycle and headed toward the ramp! Yes… I heard them behind me saying… “WHAT??”

It was a JOYOUS and WONDERFUL evening. Someone crashed and got bloody… but it wasn’t me. I made the jump as hoped, maybe even shocking some of the kids. But I knew that even in crashing and burning, we were making memories together. That is what families do.

The occasion for Nehemiah’s verse was a gathering of God’s people to Hear the Word of God! Yup! They had found an old Bible among the ruins of the city, and taking time off from rebuilding, they listened and celebrated hearing the Word of the God of Israel… The Father of THEIR family! His order for the day was to REJOICE! Not grieve or mourn. God had hit the ramp, stuck the landing and once more showed that when it comes to the meaning of life… He’s still ‘got it!’

God LOVES family. He is building His own and calling out to everyone to come and join in. Sometimes it takes work, planning, grief, execution, money and time… but joining His family has BOTH short and long term benefits that are out of this world! 

 So…..what is YOUR strength?