Anyone who has ever shared a dinner with the Sinclairs knows how loud such an affair can and will be. After all, you put 15 people and a baby (plus whoever happens to be living in the house or stopping by at that time) around one table and there's bound to be some noise--especially when considering that the 16 people includes a Merrick personality, two toddlers and lots of sisters.

Last night our meal at Mama Lucia's celebrating my dad's 52nd birthday (which actually took place April 3rd while he was in the midst of travel home from Spain) was no different. And as I sat there and observed the animated conversation, the senseless noise produced by the youngest ones, and the boisterous laughter (yes, most Sinclair girls have quite noisy laughs), I felt so blessed. I considered families whose shared meals are nothing more than shared food and are rather quiet, with nobody having anything they want to share with the others and strife in place of joy, and I found myself appreciating all over again that my sisters and brothers and I are not only willing to spend time together, but that we have a good time while doing so.

Part of the prophetic word over Daniel and I Tuesday night was that we would be an example of what "normalacy" (yes, I know, no such word exists--but the prophet said it first!) in a family is. And while 15+ people sitting around a table enjoying one another immensely is far from normal in our culture, it's normal in the sense of it being healthy. Sometimes I fear when people come to my house that they are bothered by the commotion caused by small children and that we are not blessing them because of this, but such interruptions and dealings are part of life. It is in the handling of children and siblings and parent/children relationships that we can be a blessing. Normalcy must stem from what is healthy: love for one another (including those younger than us), an eagerness to talk and communicate within the family, correction and discipline when necessary, and having a good time even when it's "just us." This definition of normalcy in action is what will touch and heal lives.

I'm excited about the days ahead, and I have a fresh anticipation for meals shared with others. For now, I'll be glad for every opportunity to demonstrate patience and joy in working with ones much younger and less mature than us, and in the days ahead I'll enjoy the laughter and talking that will take place between us all!

Who wants to come over for dinner?!