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 My favourite gift
Sometimes the best present is one you can't choose. Chris Wright explains
Of all the gifts I ever got, the best is the one I was born into: my family. There are lots of things I wanted as I went through life, but I've found that the thing I value most is my family.
I'm not just referring to my wife and children, but to my parents, brothers (sisters have I none), cousins, aunts and uncles, and in-laws.
Now, my family are all people with different opinions, they all would like to be considered as being high priority, they all are open to wanting their own way: in short, they are normal. (I nearly wrote "ordinary" - isn't it odd that we want to be normal, but not necessarily ordinary!) Over the years, my family has had its share of disagreements, deaths, spats, weddings, crises, etc. And through it all, when it all shakes down, we still love each other and are pleased to see each other when we meet (even if it's for a funeral). Years ago my Dad was cremated on my birthday, which could have been a disaster, but as the family can't be together for 5 minutes without someone pulling someone else's leg, and there being widespread laughter, it turned out to be a really good birthday party, just a pity Dad wasn't there, he'd have loved it. But that's what family does, it helps to heal, and provides a place where we know we are accepted, warts'n'all. Everyone knows each other, there are often undercurrents, but the most important thing is that we are family. I may be at odds with my brother, but you insult him and I'll be right there to defend him.
It's a pleasure to be able to say that our children all get on well, also with their cousins. They do this because we've worked at helping them to enjoy each other. It's not always been easy, but it's worth the effort, seeing how pleased they are whenever they meet up. So, all in all, the years we put into trying to help our children learn how to behave, how to love each other, be considerate to others, and love God, though hard, tiring and needing discipline on our part, have been worth it. Thank God!
Chris
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