Corina Devo 261

Ahhhh, Family: Traditions, family history, memories, roles.  Recipes, "the good dishes" and gathering to say "grace".  

That is the snapshot taken, but the running-film in the background has a few additional details.

Ahhhh, Family: Differences in parenting/politics/faith, etc., enabling, sin-passed-down, entitlement, lack of appreciation and manners.

"Family" is made up of both.  The good and the not-so-good.  The trick is not to just survive: the trick is to thrive in the mix of both.

We are all a cocktail of both sides.   We have sweetness-- fondness and tradition from days past, and in-Christ we have love, patience and kindness in us.  But we also have the sour-side of the elixir in us.  We have sin and self-focus in us.  And so it is not just "family" (them), it is also us in relationship to our families that contains the good and the not-so-good.

What is the magic potion for "Family"?  Here's a hint--there is no magic involved: just love.

14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.  ~Colossians 3:14-15

Sounds simple, but it is difficult to live out, isn't it?  

Swapping stories with a friend the other day, she recalled how most of her childhood holiday parties ended in fights amongst the adults.  As a kid, she didn't take much notice, but as adults, we understand why.  Life is hard.  Relationships are hard.  Family is hard.  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ~Colossians 3:14

"Putting on love" is almost impossible to do without Jesus.  On our own, and in our own (stinking) thinking, our way is best, and others should submit to it.  But in Christ, He softens our hearts and allows us to put on love.  This might mean compromise, this might mean patience, and sometimes this simply means shutting our mouths.  

In fact, 99% of my "family" things could be bound together in perfect harmony if I would keep my mouth shut.  

Of course, there are circumstances when truth must be spoken, and the Lord will lead us in those, but too often I am speaking out (outspoken?) on my behalf and not God's.  Have you noticed that this does not bind everything together in perfect harmony?  I have.

But "putting on love" changes things.  And it changes families.  We want that, but how to achieve it?  

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ~Colossians 3:15 

Peace.  The peace of Christ.  Just saying that feels calming.  If we can get that to rule in (our) hearts, it changes things, and it changes us, which will change our families.  I want that.

God's peace comes into us and over us via His word (the Bible), prayer, and song.  The right (worship) song can completely change my mood, and my peace.  And so can "soaking" in His word.  If we have family complications or complicated people, we can "pray up", "read up", or "sing up" to gear-up for being together.  

It is not magic, but it does work wonders to commit situations to God, and ask His help in putting on "love".  In submitting ourselves and our (family) situations to God, He will grant us peace to rule in your hearts, and then we can put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  It really works.

And after putting on love, and letting the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, there is one more ingredient in this recipe: And be thankful.  ~Colossians 3:15

Ahhhh, Family.  So many things are wrapped up in this word and the time spent with them--is thankfulness one of them?  It should be.  

Take a step back.  Do we have family to be with?   Be thankful. ~Colossians 3:15

For the memories of loved ones gone, and the opportunity to still-make-memories with those left: Be thankful. ~Colossians 3:15

For the ongoing-life-lessons-that-family-relationships-offer: Be thankful. ~Colossians 3:15

For the opportunity to be a part of God's family, and thus--to make an eternal difference in our families: Be thankful. ~Colossians 3:15 

14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.  ~Colossians 3:14-15

Love unites us in our families.  Love enables compromise.  Love allows grace.  Love binds everything together in perfect harmony.  I'd like more of that in our family and gatherings, wouldn't you?  

In reading today's verses, The Lord reminded me that it's up to us.  People are imperfect, families are imperfect.  I am definitely imperfect.  But there is a remedy for harmony:

 Love (which binds everything together in perfect harmony)

+Peace 

+ be thankful.  


Ahhhh, Family.  Let's be thankful. 

Blessings,
sarah

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