Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col. 3:13)
What is it about family? We are they and they are us, inseperable yet at times insufferable, never banished, never forgotten, lifelong reminders. Family is the classroom in which we learn how to forgive. Family compels forgiveness.
It can be especially hard in family to get along, to let it go, forget it and move on. We just don't have to get along if we don't want to. Most of the time not much happens when we don't, so what is the motivation? Often we wind up asking, why should I be the one to change and say I'm sorry, or what's in it for me?
But both questions completely miss the point of what Christianity is all about. First, for the Christian, change is empowering, not an admission of defeat, because each time we forgive and forget we become a little more Christlike in the process. And think about this. Nothing comes with salvation accept, salvation. We don't get a new car in the deal, or a raise in pay, a bigger house, new kids or a better spouse. All we get is Christ. But isn't that enough? Of course it is. We already have all we need in Christ.
So the next time family is a challenge lead the way. We don't have to win every arguement at the Sunday dinner table. Let Christ shine through you and prove that love really does mean something in families. Who knows, you may inspire that Crazy Carl or Cathy Clueless each family has, to do some changing and forgiving of their own.
What is it about family? We are they and they are us, inseperable yet at times insufferable, never banished, never forgotten, lifelong reminders. Family is the classroom in which we learn how to forgive. Family compels forgiveness.
It can be especially hard in family to get along, to let it go, forget it and move on. We just don't have to get along if we don't want to. Most of the time not much happens when we don't, so what is the motivation? Often we wind up asking, why should I be the one to change and say I'm sorry, or what's in it for me?
But both questions completely miss the point of what Christianity is all about. First, for the Christian, change is empowering, not an admission of defeat, because each time we forgive and forget we become a little more Christlike in the process. And think about this. Nothing comes with salvation accept, salvation. We don't get a new car in the deal, or a raise in pay, a bigger house, new kids or a better spouse. All we get is Christ. But isn't that enough? Of course it is. We already have all we need in Christ.
So the next time family is a challenge lead the way. We don't have to win every arguement at the Sunday dinner table. Let Christ shine through you and prove that love really does mean something in families. Who knows, you may inspire that Crazy Carl or Cathy Clueless each family has, to do some changing and forgiving of their own.
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