Ephesians 4:5-6
For us there is only one Lord, one
faith, one baptism, and we all have the same God and Father who is over
us all and in us all, and living through every part of us.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
Today is Nathan’s fourth
birthday. All three children came to visit us for the day while their
parents were at work. Nathan immediately spotted the birthday gifts we
had wrapped and placed on the table for him, so he opened those right
away…a Paw Patrol book, a Spider-Man mask that talks, and a Spider-Man
glove that makes noises like it is “shooting webs.” Zola watched with
anticipation as each gift was unwrapped…and she even helped with the
more difficult task of removing ribbons from the packages. Timothy
stood on the fringes and pretended not to care…but he was more than a
little interested in the new toys.
Even at 7, 5 and 4 years of
age, these children have interesting and unique personalities. Still,
there are common denominators. They all have the capacity to be loving
and spontaneously appreciative. They all enjoy swimming, Batman and
other superheroes, and certain television programs…like Paw Patrol, Team
Umizoomi, and Max and Ruby. They all love pizza - and dislike taking
naps! All three will do just about anything to “earn” a LifeSavers®
candy!
Like any children, there are times when each sibling is
“on one” and tries our last nerve. They occasionally test the
limits…say things to see how we will react…and stand their ground in
stubborn protest when things do not go their way. They can bicker with
each other and take a swing with the best of ‘em! Sibling rivalry is
very much in full force with these three!
But at the end of the
day, these precious little ones love each other fiercely…and we adore
them. And that is how it is supposed to be. This is also how it should
be among us as Christian brothers and sisters. We are unique
individuals…but part of one body…with one Father who adores us and loves
us unconditionally. He is in charge…we are called to faithfully obey
Him and serve at His pleasure.
God does not call all of us in
the same way – or to perform the same tasks. He designed us to have
unique characteristics, thoughts and ideas – and yes, to sometimes be
different. There will be occasions when we disagree – perhaps even
bicker a bit. But this must not last – or worse yet, fester into
something serious. We must carefully check our thoughts, words and
actions and remember that we are part of a very special and important
family…and we have to make every effort to get along with our
“siblings.”
Nothing warms my heart more than to see our three
little ones sharing – or hugging each other. I almost melt when one
encourages another, shows him/her kindness and courtesy and says,
“You’re doing a great job!” It makes my day when they receive a special
treat and ask, “What about the others?” As much as children can
understand what it means to be part of a family, these three are
starting to get it. And God wants you and me to get it, too. In fact,
we don’t have the “excuse” of being 7, 5, and four! God has to be
constantly shaking His head at how pigheaded and unkind we can often be
toward each other!
Today, spend some time in prayer and
communication with God. Ask Him to show you where you may have missed
the mark with your “brothers and sisters” in Christ. Call on Him to
help you turn these situations around…to do better moving forward…and to
always, ALWAYS remember WHOSE you are before you speak or make a move.
You and I are very much God’s precious little ones…His pride and joy.
Are we acting like it? Isn’t it time we did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label family unity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family unity. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for June 29, 2013
Hebrews 2:11
So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Today would be my brother Tim’s 52nd birthday. It would also be the 50th birthday of a childhood friend who has passed…Dr. J. Aaron Little – the older son of my piano teacher. And today is the 49th birthday of my cousin, Darin, who grew up in Texas. We didn’t know each other well growing up… but our families have somewhat reconnected in the past year. While the bond with my brother was unimaginably strong, these other two men were/are “brothers” of sorts, as well. I spent countless hours in the Little home as a teenager, where I grew to love Aaron, his sister Lee Ann and brother Adam like family. We attended the same church growing up… the roots of our relationship run deep.
When my cousin Darin lost his dad last fall, the family gathered for his burial in a local family cemetery, where our shared ancestors are laid to rest. When my grandmother died in March, and many of these same cousins returned for her funeral and burial. In June, another cousin organized a family reunion. We got together to share photographs and memories of good times from the past, family history, and to “pick the brains” of the older relatives who can still remember Grandma and Grandpa and what things were like in this area decades ago.
There are several people in my life with whom I share no blood relation… but they could not be any more like a sister or brother to me if that were the case. I bet you can say the same. We share a bond… a mutual love and respect… and in most cases, a deep and abiding love for God. Ultimately, we are “blood related”… by the blood of Christ! This is why I think many of my most profound friendships and relationships can be traced back to childhood…and the church in which I was reared. We learned to love God together at an early age. I just made a mental list of more than half a dozen families from that era with whom I feel this “brotherly” and “sisterly” connection to this day.
In the world at large, we must acknowledge that millions are our brothers and sisters in Christ… and we must warmly embrace them – in our hearts, if not literally. We cannot judge… we must not exclude… we have to look for their good qualities and operate in peace and calm rather than discord and chaos. Just as in any “sibling relationship,” there are times when we will argue… when someone will cause us embarrassment or disappointment… when the other guy will say or do something that irritates (if not disgusts) us…when we will all experience a “less-than-proud” moment. But as “brothers and sisters in Christ,” we all share the same Heavenly Father. At the end of the day, we must not be ashamed of any of our family members.
There is great peace and comfort in “family” relationships. When someone is claiming to be a Christian and acting in an ungodly manner…saying things that are rude or crude…treating others unkindly or in a discriminatory fashion…operating with arrogance and an air of superiority and judgment… it’s hard to say, “That person is my brother/sister in Christ.” There is a temptation to act out toward this person… to feel hurt and disappointment…or to impose distance and/or a separation. But God is calling us to extend brotherly/sisterly love in Christ to these persons… to make every effort to live in harmony… to do whatever is necessary to get along. The old adage that “you can pick your friends… but not your family” is true - even in the body of Christ!
So today, I celebrate three men… all of whom probably got on my last nerve more than once as we grew up… and I celebrate the larger family of believers in Jesus Christ. I take great joy in knowing that I belong to such a big… and growing… family. The bond I feel with others who love Jesus so deeply gives me a tremendous peace and satisfaction… and in Jesus’ name, I long to encourage others to join the circle. Just imagine how glorious our “family reunion” will be when we get to Heaven!
What about you? Are you at peace with your Christian brothers and sisters? Do you feel the bond that comes from a shared love and acceptance in Jesus? Are there “siblings” who rub you the wrong way… both those you know personally and others you “know of”? Isn’t it time to start loving all of them with the love of Jesus… to drop the judgments and the feelings of irritation and/or ego – and to allow them the same latitude and grace you would hope they afford you?
Will this be the day you reconnect with some of your “family” members and embrace them… warts and all? Don’t you think it should be?
©2013 Debbie Robus
So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Today would be my brother Tim’s 52nd birthday. It would also be the 50th birthday of a childhood friend who has passed…Dr. J. Aaron Little – the older son of my piano teacher. And today is the 49th birthday of my cousin, Darin, who grew up in Texas. We didn’t know each other well growing up… but our families have somewhat reconnected in the past year. While the bond with my brother was unimaginably strong, these other two men were/are “brothers” of sorts, as well. I spent countless hours in the Little home as a teenager, where I grew to love Aaron, his sister Lee Ann and brother Adam like family. We attended the same church growing up… the roots of our relationship run deep.
When my cousin Darin lost his dad last fall, the family gathered for his burial in a local family cemetery, where our shared ancestors are laid to rest. When my grandmother died in March, and many of these same cousins returned for her funeral and burial. In June, another cousin organized a family reunion. We got together to share photographs and memories of good times from the past, family history, and to “pick the brains” of the older relatives who can still remember Grandma and Grandpa and what things were like in this area decades ago.
 |
| My sister Suzanne, me, my brother Tim, and my grandmother Polly, less than three weeks before Tim went to be with Jesus... September 1998. |
In the world at large, we must acknowledge that millions are our brothers and sisters in Christ… and we must warmly embrace them – in our hearts, if not literally. We cannot judge… we must not exclude… we have to look for their good qualities and operate in peace and calm rather than discord and chaos. Just as in any “sibling relationship,” there are times when we will argue… when someone will cause us embarrassment or disappointment… when the other guy will say or do something that irritates (if not disgusts) us…when we will all experience a “less-than-proud” moment. But as “brothers and sisters in Christ,” we all share the same Heavenly Father. At the end of the day, we must not be ashamed of any of our family members.
There is great peace and comfort in “family” relationships. When someone is claiming to be a Christian and acting in an ungodly manner…saying things that are rude or crude…treating others unkindly or in a discriminatory fashion…operating with arrogance and an air of superiority and judgment… it’s hard to say, “That person is my brother/sister in Christ.” There is a temptation to act out toward this person… to feel hurt and disappointment…or to impose distance and/or a separation. But God is calling us to extend brotherly/sisterly love in Christ to these persons… to make every effort to live in harmony… to do whatever is necessary to get along. The old adage that “you can pick your friends… but not your family” is true - even in the body of Christ!
So today, I celebrate three men… all of whom probably got on my last nerve more than once as we grew up… and I celebrate the larger family of believers in Jesus Christ. I take great joy in knowing that I belong to such a big… and growing… family. The bond I feel with others who love Jesus so deeply gives me a tremendous peace and satisfaction… and in Jesus’ name, I long to encourage others to join the circle. Just imagine how glorious our “family reunion” will be when we get to Heaven!
What about you? Are you at peace with your Christian brothers and sisters? Do you feel the bond that comes from a shared love and acceptance in Jesus? Are there “siblings” who rub you the wrong way… both those you know personally and others you “know of”? Isn’t it time to start loving all of them with the love of Jesus… to drop the judgments and the feelings of irritation and/or ego – and to allow them the same latitude and grace you would hope they afford you?
Will this be the day you reconnect with some of your “family” members and embrace them… warts and all? Don’t you think it should be?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 16, 2012
Psalm 133:1
It is truly wonderful when relatives live together in peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the 1970s, The Waltons was a television show about a family who lived in the mountains of Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II. Three generations lived together in one household, and for the most part, they all got along very well. Naturally there were moments of conflict, or there would have been no story line. But mostly, the stories were about how the family handled life challenges and pulled together to handle them. Each episode concluded with what seemed like an endless series of “Good nights!” between the family members as the house darkened.
In reality, very few families seem to resemble The Waltons. I think a more apt description (in TV terms) for a lot of us would be Family Feud! There is an old saying that goes something like, “You can pick your friends… but not your relatives.” And sadly, a lot of families have plenty of discord. It’s really nothing new… go back and read the story of Joseph and his brothers in the Old Testament… or read about Cain and Abel! We haven’t learned much, have we?!
At least once a month, I hear of someone who is having a problem with a sibling. This ranges from a rather tame disagreement over something like politics to an all-out war over an inheritance or settling the estate of another loved one. In some instances, the conflict escalates to the point where family members do not speak for years… if ever again. Some totally estrange themselves from their biological relatives and create a separate life altogether.
I think God must be especially grieved when we can’t seem to get along with members of our own family. He wants us to live in peace with ALL of our brothers and sisters… biological or otherwise. God places us together as family members for a reason. He equips us with the tools for living in harmony… but it is up to us to utilize them.
We don’t have to agree with our family members in every situation. We don’t have to look alike, act alike, live in the same neighborhood or community… or even attend the same church. But we need to be able to be in the same room with each other and be pleasant and civil. We must ask God to give us the ability to exercise patience, tolerance, and love for others – especially our own family members – and to control our tongue and our actions.
If we desire to please God, we must learn to operate in His grace, mercy, forgiveness and love toward all people… even our own family. Does yours more closely resemble The Waltons… or is it more of a Family Feud? I encourage you to ask God to help you do whatever is necessary to at least function somewhere more toward the middle of these two extremes.
Be sure that your words and actions are pleasing to God and honor His gifts to you. Ask Him to work in your family members, as well. You may never fully get along and agree on most points – or even really like each other. But with God’s help, you can operate in His love and maintain a bond. Take the first steps toward creating family harmony. Open the door for God to work toward peace and unity. We can’t pick our family members… but with God’s help, we can learn to love and tolerate each other!
©2012 Debbie Robus
It is truly wonderful when relatives live together in peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the 1970s, The Waltons was a television show about a family who lived in the mountains of Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II. Three generations lived together in one household, and for the most part, they all got along very well. Naturally there were moments of conflict, or there would have been no story line. But mostly, the stories were about how the family handled life challenges and pulled together to handle them. Each episode concluded with what seemed like an endless series of “Good nights!” between the family members as the house darkened.
In reality, very few families seem to resemble The Waltons. I think a more apt description (in TV terms) for a lot of us would be Family Feud! There is an old saying that goes something like, “You can pick your friends… but not your relatives.” And sadly, a lot of families have plenty of discord. It’s really nothing new… go back and read the story of Joseph and his brothers in the Old Testament… or read about Cain and Abel! We haven’t learned much, have we?!
At least once a month, I hear of someone who is having a problem with a sibling. This ranges from a rather tame disagreement over something like politics to an all-out war over an inheritance or settling the estate of another loved one. In some instances, the conflict escalates to the point where family members do not speak for years… if ever again. Some totally estrange themselves from their biological relatives and create a separate life altogether.
I think God must be especially grieved when we can’t seem to get along with members of our own family. He wants us to live in peace with ALL of our brothers and sisters… biological or otherwise. God places us together as family members for a reason. He equips us with the tools for living in harmony… but it is up to us to utilize them.
We don’t have to agree with our family members in every situation. We don’t have to look alike, act alike, live in the same neighborhood or community… or even attend the same church. But we need to be able to be in the same room with each other and be pleasant and civil. We must ask God to give us the ability to exercise patience, tolerance, and love for others – especially our own family members – and to control our tongue and our actions.
If we desire to please God, we must learn to operate in His grace, mercy, forgiveness and love toward all people… even our own family. Does yours more closely resemble The Waltons… or is it more of a Family Feud? I encourage you to ask God to help you do whatever is necessary to at least function somewhere more toward the middle of these two extremes.
Be sure that your words and actions are pleasing to God and honor His gifts to you. Ask Him to work in your family members, as well. You may never fully get along and agree on most points – or even really like each other. But with God’s help, you can operate in His love and maintain a bond. Take the first steps toward creating family harmony. Open the door for God to work toward peace and unity. We can’t pick our family members… but with God’s help, we can learn to love and tolerate each other!
©2012 Debbie Robus
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