Since we only see our Tennessee family once or twice a year, we savor the time we have together. The grandsons have grown into adulthood—we no longer read stories to them or build Legos, but we converse around the fire pit and learn about their new ventures or hobbies. We appreciate the boys’ growth and maturity, the development of their character and opinions. We leave personal views unspoken because they really don’t matter. What matters is us—family—with unique personalities and shared history.
I hope the word family invokes warm feelings for you, feelings that awaken nostalgic memories and stir longing in your heart. I am aware that this best-case scenario is not true for everyone.
Sadly, I know far too many adult siblings who will not speak to each other and parents whose children spurn them. Why? That’s the hounding question, the cry of broken hearts.
Will no one be the adult in the room and engage in an open dialogue? Is pain from the past larger than the mercy in your heart? The inflicted hurt was likely unintentional. Or it was intentional but is now regretted. Or it is so deep-seated that stubbornness usurps grace.
Society at large seems to have lost sight of the fact that you can vehemently disagree and still respect one another, still love each other. This division is understandable in a world that is steadily growing darker, but in a family? In the church?
How can those who profess Christ dismiss His longing for us to be one? In His last hours, Jesus prayed passionately for His followers. Do you remember the cry of His heart?
I am praying… for all who will ever believe in me… that they will all be one,
just as you and I are one.
I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one…
May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me
(John 17:20-23, emphasis mine).
The holidays are coming. Many will be coerced into sharing space with family they’d rather avoid. Some will absent themselves from gatherings to dodge a relative. How grievous to the heart of God.
I implore you to pray Jesus’ prayer for unity. Be the bigger person, the God-pleasing person, the person who forgives by choice and speaks a kind word. Be a bridge-builder.
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