family

WE ARE FAMILY! Mother, brother, sister and me! (Does anybody else remember that song?)

I've been thinking about the whole concept of family last night and today. Last night's study mid-week study hit the first part of I Peter 5, and when we got to the part on pride and humility, we discussed how those characteristics impact the body of Christ. My mind has gone a step further this morning and is pondering the ways those two small things drastically enhance or destroy an individual family as well.

I think every family has that one person (at least) that you sometimes struggle inside at the thought of either having to play with them or playing nicely. (My Chinese students often used the verb play, even for adults, and it was always took me off-guard, but the more I think about it the more if fits.) That particular person doesn't do things the way I do, or enjoy the same things I do, or remember events the way I do, and sometimes my life is a little less stressful if they're not around. My guess is they would say the same thing about me. Which makes me ponder: is the incompatibility the result of pride/selfishness on my part? Am I putting my interests and desires above theirs? It's easy to see that fault in other people, but not always so easy to detect in ourselves.

"He (God) must increase but I must decrease." Nothing brings that Scripture home to the heart more than seeing a quick glimpse of who we truly are in the mirror of God's word.