Thursday Devotional...2/2/12

Family and Friendships

The chapel was warm and bright. Voices mingled with some background music as first, second and third cousins whispered, waved and winked to one another across the pews. Great Aunts and Uncles reacted with amazement at the growth of loved ones, who had once been so little, had so much time really passed?

Happiness and excitement poured from their lips as they greeted each other. How truly wonderful it was to see them again. Oh, we should do this more often. Yes. Yes we should.

Five generations of family filled all the rows. A beautiful casket holding the earthly remains of a loved one was front and center in the room surrounded by bright cascades of flowers. The dearly departed one was the cause for this gathering. This was the story of sadness in their eyes.

As I watched the whole world of emotions playing across their faces I wondered what it would be like to be a part of such a large family. What is it like to live close enough that you attend every graduation, wedding and funeral? What does it feel like to BE close enough in relationship to be invited to every big event? Do you start to feel obligated? Or bored? Or aggravated? Or jealous? Or like a failure? When you decide that you don’t measure up to the person you always thought you would be, even said you would be, and you being the big mouth of the family, do you shy away? Do you slip in the back to pay your respects and slip out just as quietly?

Family and friendship require work, effort, and commitment. No relationship should be one way all the time (except for infants). Do you miss someone? Call them, email them, or send them a note. Were harsh words left between you? Apologize, extend the hand of reconciliation, now, while you have the chance. Most of us need the little reminders that people still care about us when time has passed. Hey, I like little reminders that the other person knows I still exist when only a week or two has passed!

We may not live close to family. We may not be a part of what we would call a warm family. But God has provided a way. As He always does, He has us covered. The local church is full of people who love God and if we give them a chance they will love us too. By the very nature of salvation they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, we all have the same heavenly Father. But we must approach people with the intent to be friends not just have friends.

By the way, we must be prepared to get our feelings hurt. That’s what people do, whether intentionally, thoughtlessly, or carelessly, it happens. Truth be told, we do it to them too. No one is perfect but God. What does God’s Word tell us about cultivating good relationships?

Proverbs 17:9 (New Living Translation)

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,

but dwelling on it separates close friends.

Romans 14:1-4 (The Message)

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume he should only be a vegetarian and eat accordingly. But since both are guests at Christ's table, wouldn't it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn't eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned,

God can handle that without your help.

Dear Lord, thank You for watching over me and giving me wisdom when I ask. Help me to not fall into isolation to avoid being hurt. Please help me to cause no harm to others by my words or actions. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins