Many people say that Christmas is a wonderful time to focus on the family. Which makes a lot of sense... Christmas is Jesus' birthday and we celebrate His birth and the family that He was sent to live with on earth.
But what if your family is not the picture-perfect example you think it should be? What if your family is struggling? What if getting together for Christmas is not as easy as it used to be?
(Some of you may be aghast that we are even talking about this, but this is real life. God wants to be involved in our real, everyday lives. When we have troubles, He wants to help us! Why not take advantage of the help God wants to give us?)
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Psalm 133:1
Dwelling together in unity is a good feeling. Everyone is happy and enjoying one anothers' company. Sounds fun doesn't it? Well, the Bible mentions an important step to achieving this state of happiness: forgiveness.
(I know its not what we want to hear, but we have to forgive if we are ever going to fully restore relationships.) The conversation that Peter had with Jesus tells us just how important it is to forgive:
"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." Matthew 18: 21-22
Jesus wants us to forgive over and over just like we want God to forgive us over and over. So, why is it so hard to forgive a family member that has hurt you? Well, family members are among our most trusted and loved people we come in contact with. When someone that close to us hurts us, it cuts even deeper.
Let's challenge each other to forgive --- (no matter how much we don't feel like it). Give forgiveness a shot because it is amazing how freeing it actually is!
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