This summer our family came together for a reunion.  It had been two years and we were thrilled to see each other.  Now such an occasion inevitably calls for the “family photo.”   Getting us all together in some semblance of order is not an easy thing to do.   A granddaughter, skilled in photography, was selected to choose the location and “gather us in.”

I’ve read that family photography dates back to the first appearance of cameras. People wanted to immortalize their families and relatives for posterity, for record purposes, or to create a keepsake, a token of love hanging in the home. The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.  Yes, that’s about it.

Now some families, more organized than ours, plan what they will wear and select a professional photographer to do the honors.   Being much less formal, we come together as we are.  It’s truly a picture of our family, just as we looked at that moment in time.  We don’t match and teenagers wear jeans with holes; but the smiles are big, and our arms are wrapped around each other in love. It’s us!  Will it make it to my Christmas Card?   Most definitely.

I’m reminded of the Bible verse, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a real blessing.”  Psalm 127:3 Good News Translation.   I could revise that just a bit to include “grandchildren.”   I love them for the happiness we share, the smiles, the laughter.  We are blessed and we are ever grateful for God’s goodness.

 I write this with misgivings.   Many of my friends in Christ are childless or have lost children.  I truly do not want to offend them in any way.  God’s love for them is boundless.  We have no way to understand how or why God chooses to distribute blessings among us.  Only God knows.   Whatever our blessings may be, we praise God the giver.   His love is unconditional for me and for you.  We can anticipate the greatest family photo of all, when we all gather together with our Lord, the family of God seated before his throne.  To God be the glory!

Judy