The calendar has turned. November is here. The holidays are
upon us and like most years I hope this year will be different, even though
inside it will be like the last. Family is a hard thing. I think we can all
agree that we are human and therefore
imperfect, so we can’t expect our families to be any different. There is drama.
Somewhere there is pain, there always is. It can stem from loss,
miscommunication, and differing beliefs. Or it can stem from feeling like you
do not belong with the people who share your blood and last name.
I have a decent sized extend family multiple aunts, uncles,
and cousins. All in different stages, but some are my
age. Ever since I can remember I wanted to know my family. I am an only
child and growing up I lived for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, because I was
finally connected with kids who were my family. But, the connection never
happened for me and this has continued into
adulthood. My extended family are strangers to me, we share much but at the same time nothing at all.
Maybe your situation is different.
Maybe the relationship is so broken down from the “he said, she said” of
it all that it is just awkward to be together. Everyone tries to be on their
best behavior, but there is always an elephant
in the room. You are just so thankful to have
survived another family gathering that you
do not really care about the unspoken.
This time of year is
supposed to be one of thankfulness and joy. Laughter and memories. We come together to celebrate our blessings, our
Savior, and each other after another year of life lived. But, for a lot of us
this is the time we dread. We wonder if the call is going to come to make plans
for Thanksgiving. We cry over the pictures of our extend families celebrating
together without calling to invite us. The
pictures of other families enjoying a seemingly magical holiday make us jealous
of what we lack.
The hurt is real. I know it well. But, we can’t let others,
even those who are supposed to love us more
than anyone, get in the way of what this time of year is about. We can’t let others’ actions,
or lack of, keep us from being thankful for what we do have, including being
thankful for them. Our heritage, where we come from, who we share blood with,
is important. God gave us this family for a purpose, we were not placed by
accident, even though it can feel that way.
This month we are going to chat about family, because it’s
not only the holidays, but it is one of the main areas the devil attacks to
keep us separated and resentful towards each other. Our enemy doesn’t want to
see us overcoming our pain towards them or even healing and coming into a
relationship with them, because he knows that once we do
we are a force of light in this dark world.
Prayer: God, I thank you for these reader friends. I do not know
their family situation, but I can guess there is probably some drama somewhere.
Whether it’s in our extended or immediate families, please take our bitterness,
envy, and pain. We dread this time of year, but you can transform us and our
circumstances. You are doing a new thing not only in us, but our families. Help
us to trust you with our family members hearts and our own. We believe you can
heal the brokenness that is our family tree. Thank you for every single member
of my family and these friends’ families;
they are dear to you, you love them so. We love you.
- Hannah
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