Sometimes family dynamics can be overwhelming.
We listen to our kids and try our best.
Occasionally, it’s not good enough.
They’re angry and upset about things they can not even understand.
We had this day yesterday.
It was rough.
Emotional.
I felt helpless.
I want to fix all their worries and pains.
Yet, I was part of the problem.
Family.
The college girl is so wise.
She is calm and asks questions that allow an opening in a conversation.
The other family members in the discussion work hard to share, to explain.
There are tears.
There was real.
There was love.
There was patience.
There was kindness (because of my girls).
I Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5
It does not dishonor others,
it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
These verses speak truth.
We say we love, but I am the first to not be patient or even kind.
Can you imagine if we were all not self seeking?
What a different world we would create.
Such simple words with a powerful truth.
We are not a perfect family.
We struggle so much.
Yet, I pray that in our real, in our struggle we learn to listen better.
I pray we hear each other and each of us tries to make it better.
I pray we are not self seeking.
The girls went off for a much needed coffee date and I relished a few moments of quiet.
I’m digging in this month seeking the good even in the hard.
Listen to each other.
Sometimes the questions that need to be asked are deeper than what you see on the surface.
Work on being kind.
Even when you don’t feel like it.
Embrace joy.
Surrender all to God.
He will make a way.
He’s in the business of doing just that.
Isaiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
I am Thankful for:
A family that will try to work together
struggles, they help us to grow
neighbors who haven’t moved yet
time together as a family
a farmer who never gives up
farm girls who pitch in and dig in
a farm boy trying to do the right thing
an exchange student who has become part of our family
a week with kids home
the oldest farm girl and her family coming home
moments of quiet
I want to encourage you to be real.
Dig in with family members and friends.
Listen.
Memorize I Corinthians 13
Love is patient. Love is kind.
