Yesterday was a rough day for me. It has been eleven years since my mom passed away and at times it seems like just a few hours. My mom was my best friend and set the standard of which a true Proverbs 31 woman lived. I fail miserably compared to her, and that's not a reflection of me, but a reflection of her amazing strength and wisdom.
I was thinking about my family and how distant we are geographically. It saddens me to think I may not see my siblings again. I miss them terribly.
I have an amazing support system through my in-laws, but somehow, a hug from your own sister or mother, somehow just cannot be replaced. I have strong ties and deep roots embedded in the fibers of our genetic beings. They are my blood. Same mom. Same dad.
I have other people that I consider family because they are close to my heart. Friends, church members, and people that I have met during my professional work.
But....what really is family?
I know this probably sounds crazy, but I actually searched for the definition.
Family is "a person or people related to one and so to be treated with a special loyalty or intimacy". Wow.
So if we are related to just one person, we are family. That also means that we hold a special loyalty or intimacy with that person. If this definition is a true representation of what family is, we are all family.
Sure, you have heard that before and you understand that, but the reality is, we are all God's children and are all in the same family. We should hold a special loyalty to each other and share an unbelievably close bond.
Nothing in that definition says that opinions won't separate us. They do. Just look at many Thanksgiving tables or Christmas meals. The holidays are the most stressful times of the year because we are "forced" to be with those that have hurt us or do not share our values.
But, family is more than that. Family is not waging war against each other based on color, resistance, or power. Family is finding a ground that is common and one that is mutually respected.
Jesus was passionate when it came to how we are to treat each other. He was continually teaching love, compassion, and giving to others. 1 John 13:15-18 says, " Everyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderers have eternal life in them. This is how we know what real love is: Jesus gave his life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters. Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God’s love is not living in that person. My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring."
We have all been hurt by family. Those that share blood, and those that share in bond. Nothing can remove the anger, the hurt, and the bitterness like the blood of Jesus.
I think about this especially as we enter into election time for our country. Our nation is already divided. Brother against brother, father against son. That is the human side of our character, but our spirits are joined as family.
During the civil war, it was not enemy against enemy. It was will against will and the honor of winning what men thought was best for our country. Hundreds of thousands of bodies lay silent and lifeless from a battle that ensued between family. To think we battle family for the last turkey drumstick, or over a team playing sports.
As Christians, we should understand that each breath that is taken by our neighbor is a breath taken by family. We are all joined by God, and we should honor each other without regard to opinions or differences.
My relationship with God determines my eternity. I cannot condemn nor can I judge but I can offer what Jesus gave. Compassion.
It is time that kindness and compassion once again become the rule, instead of being the exception.
Think you cannot make a change? You might not be able to, but you know the one that can. Spend time on your knees speaking to "our" father. I don't think it is a coincidence that Jesus instructed us to pray beginning with "OUR FATHER".
I was thinking about my family and how distant we are geographically. It saddens me to think I may not see my siblings again. I miss them terribly.
I have an amazing support system through my in-laws, but somehow, a hug from your own sister or mother, somehow just cannot be replaced. I have strong ties and deep roots embedded in the fibers of our genetic beings. They are my blood. Same mom. Same dad.
I have other people that I consider family because they are close to my heart. Friends, church members, and people that I have met during my professional work.
But....what really is family?
I know this probably sounds crazy, but I actually searched for the definition.
Family is "a person or people related to one and so to be treated with a special loyalty or intimacy". Wow.
So if we are related to just one person, we are family. That also means that we hold a special loyalty or intimacy with that person. If this definition is a true representation of what family is, we are all family.
Sure, you have heard that before and you understand that, but the reality is, we are all God's children and are all in the same family. We should hold a special loyalty to each other and share an unbelievably close bond.
Nothing in that definition says that opinions won't separate us. They do. Just look at many Thanksgiving tables or Christmas meals. The holidays are the most stressful times of the year because we are "forced" to be with those that have hurt us or do not share our values.
But, family is more than that. Family is not waging war against each other based on color, resistance, or power. Family is finding a ground that is common and one that is mutually respected.
Jesus was passionate when it came to how we are to treat each other. He was continually teaching love, compassion, and giving to others. 1 John 13:15-18 says, " Everyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderers have eternal life in them. This is how we know what real love is: Jesus gave his life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters. Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God’s love is not living in that person. My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring."
We have all been hurt by family. Those that share blood, and those that share in bond. Nothing can remove the anger, the hurt, and the bitterness like the blood of Jesus.
I think about this especially as we enter into election time for our country. Our nation is already divided. Brother against brother, father against son. That is the human side of our character, but our spirits are joined as family.
During the civil war, it was not enemy against enemy. It was will against will and the honor of winning what men thought was best for our country. Hundreds of thousands of bodies lay silent and lifeless from a battle that ensued between family. To think we battle family for the last turkey drumstick, or over a team playing sports.
As Christians, we should understand that each breath that is taken by our neighbor is a breath taken by family. We are all joined by God, and we should honor each other without regard to opinions or differences.
My relationship with God determines my eternity. I cannot condemn nor can I judge but I can offer what Jesus gave. Compassion.
It is time that kindness and compassion once again become the rule, instead of being the exception.
Think you cannot make a change? You might not be able to, but you know the one that can. Spend time on your knees speaking to "our" father. I don't think it is a coincidence that Jesus instructed us to pray beginning with "OUR FATHER".