Song of the Zapper

Since no one would describe themselves as perfect one might describe a family gathering as a commingling of imperfect people. That being stated you might picture in your mind the sound of a bug zapper going off every other second in almost melodious tones as normal situations produce trespasses among us.  Through generations of peoples families are notorious for nit-picking at each other and generally causing a raucous where many a gathering has been marred by such common occurrences. A good verse to carry in your heart at any gathering is from the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6 verse 12 "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."
 

We've been gathering yearly over the 4th of July as a family for 17 summers. Not exactly unusual for families to gather.... that's just what families do.  We have had members go sideways then high and off to the right a time or two but we as a group are intentional to guard against that and give each other room for our imperfections while forgiving each other our trespasses.

 

Wouldn't that be nice if intentionality of purpose were the answer?  It's just a step.... a good one albeit.  There are 19 of us now. It use to be just Coach Wonderful & I then we added sparkles upon sparkles upon more sparkles. Children, marriage mates and grandchildren.  We glow now with lots of personalities, opinions and thoughts with a myriad of ways to do things. Of course we share some common belief as we each walk with the Lord. Like everything else we are in diverse places but generally when you have a slew of creative, God gifted, original thinking and talented individuals with a shared last name.... ire happens. I think that's when the hairs on the back of your neck go up and frustration capitulates and the sound of the trespass zapper rocks out.

 

A pearl to string: Why? Because even with group purpose of intentionality individuals cannot do the 'goodness' thing on their own.  We have a sin nature and there is only one who can control it.  The Holy Spirit. We have learned through reading God's Word daily year in and year out as we grow more in love with Jesus that it is God's Word that equips us to receive the Holy Spirit and make the choices that follow God's goodness.  There is protection in God's goodness.  I am a witness to this. We had an extraordinary time together and I saw the Holy Spirit working in individuals when the trespass zapper sang. It's a beautiful sight to witness grace in your family. I see you Macs.  I love you MacFamily and I miss you already.

"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them". -- Psalm 126:2. amen....

Thank you Mike & Jenni for hosting our MacGathering for the second time in your beautiful home. We love your pool. Our Jenni was a phenomenal servant to her Mac family feeding all 19 of us multiple times a day and generally taking care of each persons needs.  Big thunderous shout of thanks Jenni you blessed us all.  Lucky Mike, Nick, Justin, Brandon & Lexa!

 

Sharing the love with you all,

                                          Lyndi