Family get-togethers are the glue that holds an extended family in place. These celebrations are one of my favorite strategies for building a spiritual legacy, because our get-togethers always include laughter. Always. Even weddings and funerals. Especially birthdays and holidays.

Last Saturday was my birthday and Sunday was Easter—a double whammy. The kids and grandkids honored both days with a barbecue on Sunday after church at our house. I like barbecues, and I like my kids. I especially like my grandkids. *fairy godmother wink *

But family celebrations can leave you feeling exhausted, refreshed, angry, loved, or any combination of emotions. Your emotional take-away depends on how bonded your family is and how willing you are to admit your dysfunctions and embrace each other with grace.

Our family likes to embrace through laughter. Probably because I have a quirky pastor-husband who views life through a special lens designed by purple men who live on mars. The kids take after him. I’m sure I’m the only sane one in the group. According to Jeff Foxworthy, we’re “dang near royalty.”

If you ever start feeling like you have the goofiest, craziest, most dysfunctional family in the world, all you have to do is go to a state fair. Because five minutes at the fair, you’ll be goin, ‘you know, we’re alright. We are dang near royalty.’  –Jeff Foxworthy

Surviving your next family get-together is easy:

1. Admit you are all dysfunctional in some way

2. Embrace one another with grace

3. Learn to laugh with each other

Now it’s your turn: Time to fess up—what is the outstanding quality about your family get-togethers that you appreciate? Which of these three survival tactics do you practice as a family?

Susan Gaddis, Helping you build a spiritual legacy

If you enjoyed this post, please pass it on by clicking one of the Share, Be Sociable buttons below.