Wednesday, Nov. 6 – ...but you’re stuck with your family.

Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons.   –Luke 15:11

There are lots of biblical stories of sibling rivalry...Cain & Abel, Jacob & Esau, Joseph & his brothers, Mary & Martha...   One has only to pick up the Bible and thumb through a few pages to find family dysfunction.  The rivalry between Ishmael and Isaac—the sons of Abraham—is still playing out thousands of years later in the strife between the Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions.

Family can be a blessing...or a curse...as we all know from our own experience.  So what are we to do with all this family stuff?  Be thankful, and work with the family we’re “stuck” with?

As difficult as it may be at times, I don’t think we’re part of the family we are by accident.  How might God be trying to shape our lives through our family relationships?  What might we need to do to bring justice & healing, grace & forgiveness into our family system?

No matter what the makeup of my human family, I am part of God’s family...and for that I’m eternally thankful.

God of all families, show me your mission for me in my family.