How to Love Your Family.
Sometimes we forget how precious our family is. It’s crazy to think that God blesses us with people who we choose to intentionally walk together through this journey that is called life. When I think about my family, I like to think of all the good times we have had. Whether it be the laughter and joy that we’ve experienced together, or memories. However, if your family is anything like mine then you’ve also experienced brokenness. Many times it’s can be easy to dwell on the ways in which our families have failed us or in the ways we have failed our own family.
Many times throughout my life I have failed my family. The most difficult conversations I have had, have been with my family. I remember one day, my brother Jordan and I were chatting about our lives, reminiscing over our past. As we were talking, the conversation took an unexpected turn and my brother began to reveal to me about how I failed him as a brother by not being there for him during my high school years. Now, I was not surprised by his disappointment in me, but I was surprised by his expression of just wanting me to be there with him, to be the brother he always looked up to and followed. I was cut to the heart and knew that I had to change; that I could not take my family for granted. Looking back I’m glad my brother felt that he had the complete freedom to tell me how I failed him and though it was tough, to receive what he had said. He also gave me the opportunity to make amends for my wrongdoing.
As annoying as our family may be sometimes, they are worth our time, effort, and love. That conversation was a game changer!
Have you or are you taking your family for granted? Is there anyway you could be more intentional and love them better? If so, here are three ways can choose to grow in your relationship with them.
- Apologize: None of us are perfect. We have all failed our families in some way. Take some time to examine any ways you may have hurt anyone in your family and ask for forgiveness.
- Weekly/Bi-weekly calls: Start taking opportunities to schedule family time and get to know your family better by asking in depth questions.
- Letters/Gifts: Everyone loves to know that they are loved and cherished. Use your free time to gift members in your family. You’d be surprised how a simple gift can have a large impact on the people that we love.
Let’s be a vessel of God’s love to the people that He has given to us as our family. Let’s ask him to give us the strength each day to fight for our families and love them especially in the face of hardship and brokenness.
