Difficulties In the Family

"Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother"
Mark 3:35

I have heard more times this week that family has forsaken those I love. My brothers and sisters in Christ have been truly hurt by their own flesh and blood. When I hear this I immediately think of the saying "God knows my family that's why he gave me friends". How true this is. If you think your family is off try looking at someone else's family and yours usually doesn't look so off. Now let's take a look at Jesus' family... we know he had several brothers and some sisters along with Mary and Joseph. In Mark chapter 3 verse 20 Jesus goes to a house with his disciples, we aren't told why he goes there but that he does and it's so crowded he can't even eat. The very next sentence is that his mother and brothers go to take charge of him because "he is out of his mind". When was Jesus out of his mind? Never was he in such a state, he was always about his father's business. They had to know Jesus was "special" and that God had a huge plan for his life but they sure didn't see the path that was ahead of him. They were probably trying to keep him out of trouble as long as they could. They knew the teachers of the law were growing angered at him for all the words he spoke and the miracles he performed in the name of his Father in Heaven. Have you experience lately or ever for that matter where your family thinks you are out of your mind? It's not easy being on the receiving end of their negativity, it actually hurts. It's very easy to allow this to get in the way of the relationships we have. What is very difficult is to try to look at it from their point of view. What would you do if your family member were going to make the same choice you are about to make or maybe an even crazier decision... how would you respond to them? Would you respond? It's funny, sometimes friends can say something off the wall and not be crazy for the comment but a family member can say it and be chastised forever for it. We can't pick our family thank goodness we can pick our friends! As we reflect on Jesus and his family and then think of our own let's remember that only God knows what is ahead of each of us and that mainly we pray for our own future and that of our family and friends to stay in the center of God's will. And when we are on the receiving end of the hurtful words remember they only want to keep us from trouble or more hurt down the road. Sometimes we have to let them behave the way they do and move on. How did Jesus respond to their negativity? He went on with his plan before him. He didn't get ugly or end relationships, he loved them anyway even through the toughest of times. You needed the exact mom and dad you have to be who you are, instead of wishing for different parents be thankful you had them. Pray that God help them and you through this difficult time, no mater who it is in the opposing role. It's not the words you say it's the action behind the words that mean something! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving...

God bless...