FAMILY

Before sitting down to write this blog, I did a google search on famous quotes about family…some were wise and others, I guess where meant to be humorous. They ranged from Benjamin Franklin, C. S. Louis, and Mother Teresa to Jerry Seinfeld. And one of my favorites is, “What can you do to promote world peace, go home and love your family.” Mother Teresa. I think I like it because Jesus says, “Charity (love) begins at home and then spreads abroad.” He also tells us that people will know that we are His, by the way we love one another.”

When I think back to how my family was growing up to how fragmented it is now, I see that we did have a matriarch who made it her life’s work to keep us together and involved. (My mother’s older sister Josephine.)

Family and family gatherings were very important to her and she worked hard over the years to keep us connected. In fact, I think she worked too hard. Her fabulous Christmas dinners was something we all looked forward too, when we were younger, but once we (meaning us girls) were old enough to help, it than became work—too much work if you ask me.

When I was a young girl, it was fun to spend time with my aunt polishing silver (dreaming of my own one day) and learning how to bake sweet potato pies. But as the years passed it ceased to be fun or enjoyable.

I sometimes wonder if that’s why we are so splintered today and only seem to get together for funerals versus just to have fun and check in with each other.

And just about every family has that one person you dread seeing at family gatherings. You know the one who starts the agreements or is forever bringing up old stuff and getting people all riled up! Sorry to say, my mother was the one in our family. SMH! But her sister’s love for her ran deep, so even though my mother had the capacity to offend a room full of people in 10 minutes or less—they never left her out.

But now most of us have an even bigger family to consider. I like the way Richard Bach puts it, “The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but respect and joy in each other’s life.” Yup, our Jesus family. And you know what; sometimes they seem like too much work too!

Please don’t think I’m leaving myself out of the loop, because I’m not. (I used to be a piece of work and still have the propensity to be one at any given time.) But from my aunt I learned that love is an action word, which takes a lot of work and determination.

Families can be messy, unforgiving, loving, deranged, horrible, endearing, mean spirited, ruthless, caring, liars, cheaters, generous, selfish, self-centered, self-sacrificing, despicable, uncaring and forgiving. There are many more adjectives to use, but you get my drift.

When you read the above paragraph were you nodding in agreement as to your natural bloodline or did one or two of your brothers, or sisters-in-Christ come to mind?

Because of sin everyone does not get to grow up in a loving two parent household, with grandparents and aunts and uncles who adored them. Many of us grew up in very dysfunctional (and in some cases, criminal) families and foster homes, which wounded us deeply. And we lug all those deep  hurts into our Christ family. Only problem is—no one knows our history—no one will know the pain until we let them in. But, can they be trusted?

There is one who can be trusted with our secrets…and that is God Himself! Of course God already knows everything about us, but nonetheless we find ourselves living as though we have secrets He is not privy too.

Father Knows Best and The Brady Bunch were all make believe and there is no such thing, but Jesus shows us what those in His family are to look like…

…people treating each other as we want to be treated, giving without looking for things in return, honoring our mother and father and helping our brothers and sisters in need. Lavishing love on those who have offended or hurt us by holding no record of their offense and forgiving as we want to be forgiven. Treating each other with great kindness and respect. Sharing generously and lifting one another up. Celebrating each other’s successes (not envious) and consoling one another when life is hard. We are not to rejoice when another missteps or messes up, but stand in love until they come through. And we are to be patient with the difficult ones.

Yet, too many of us are at odds with family members (natural and spiritual). We are still holding on to past arguments, fights and unforgiveness. Not letting go of things we had no control over, vowing to “forgive” but never to “forget”. And jealousy.

You see my dear sisters; family is loving, endearing, caring, generous, self-sacrificing and forgiving…and yes—a lot of work!  

When God requires us to do something, He gives us everything we need to succeed, and Jesus has not left us hanging on how to love one another as He commands.

Here’s His measuring stick for us to check ourselves on our love walk. Click, I Corinthians 13:4-7 (Amp)

When we love like Jesus, “Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end”. I Corinthians 13:8a (Amp) Love is a decision, followed by action. Just as I witnessed my aunt’s love for my mother, others are watching to see what kind of witnesses we are for Christ.

Learning to love, forgive and let go, is one of the greatest healings we can receive, and then we are able to shower it on others to help them heal and be whole.

Sisters, we are living in some crazy times and we need to strengthen our love walk. And there is only one way to do that—spending time in the Word, prayer with God and being a true follower of Christ!

We are to live in peace, as long as it is within our power. Amen!

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie