Family Ties

"...Abram said to Lot, 'Let's not allow this conflict to come between us...After all, we are close relatives!'" Genesis 13:8

As a child I would often approach my parents at any gift giving time and ask what they wanted for their birthday, anniversary or Christmas. Without fail my mom always answered in the exact same way. She would say her greatest desire was knowing that everyone was happy and that my two sisters and I always remained friends. She knew how tender relationships can be and the enemies longing to destroy families.

Abram obviously had a wonderful sense of kinship also. His family ties were strong. Not only did he act quickly to resolve the conflict that was arising, but he completely surrendered any of his longings, giving his nephew Lot opportunity to make the first decision on his choice of land.

I am thankful that from a young age my parents instilled the value of family on my heart. Do we ever argue or get upset with one another? Oh boy, that's a definite 'yes'!, but we are very quick to resolve issues and before you know it we are hugging and asking the Lord to forgive us and restore our love for one another. Often when my twin sister and I were bickering as children, mom would start to sing, "Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me, All His tender compassion and purity, All His nature divine, All my nature refine, 'Til the beauty of Jesus is seen in me." It's pretty hard to keep a fight going with that song being serenaded. I often wonder if we stopped our disagreement quickly because the Spirit tendered our young hearts by the lyrics, or we just wanted to silence mom. Whichever the case, it worked.

Yesterday I spent a lot of time going through old photos. Boxes and albums filled with pictorial memories. One thing that blessed me over and over again was the number of snapshots of family gatherings around a table. Not all were initiated because of a specific celebration. Many of the moments together were not "have to's", but "want to's". We genuinely love being together. The smiles around the table give testimony to that love.

Today let's focus on family. Distanced relationships, not in proximity but intimacy, may exist. It's not too late. If the divide seems unsurpassable remember that nothing is impossible with God. Start today by praying for that parent, sibling or cousin and don't allow the conflict that came before you to remain. May the Lord restore and bring healing, and even if you feel you are completely innocent, do whatever you can so the beauty of Jesus is seen in you.