In this world you will have tribulation… John 16:33
Good Morning dear one,
When we hear the above scripture about tribulation, what usually comes to mind are catastrophic events such as the death of a loved one, a diagnosis of terminal cancer, a broken marriage, or a wayward child. But with Thanksgiving approaching let me be clear, this holiday can be a form of tribulation. Not all families represented at the holiday table look like the Rockwell portrayal on the cover of Saturday Evening Post, and too often, we assume they act as perfectly as they look. I want to give you some blessed good news. Your dysfunctional family is normal. To be clear, we all want to believe this year will be different. That the family will all get along. That Aunt Suzie will not have one too many glasses of wine. That past grievances will not be aired at the dinner table. That sibling rivalry will not rear its ugly head. And that Uncle Bob will refrain from telling dirty jokes and using profane language.
Let me give you some unsolicited advice. Lower your expectations to a realistic level. We are all fallible humans coming together around a dinner table in a pressure cooker environment with someone needing to blow off steam in whatever way appropriate or otherwise. Cut your family some slack. Be the grown-up in the room. Float above the turmoil. You don’t have to attend every fight you are invited to. Get a new attitude; one of gratitude. Be grateful for each person attending. We are often so ready to fault-find. Instead, find a quality that you can admire and tell them. Be the loving Christian who accepts and forgives others. Love as Christ has loved you. And enjoy the turkey. Happy Thanksgiving,
Linda
Good Morning dear one,
When we hear the above scripture about tribulation, what usually comes to mind are catastrophic events such as the death of a loved one, a diagnosis of terminal cancer, a broken marriage, or a wayward child. But with Thanksgiving approaching let me be clear, this holiday can be a form of tribulation. Not all families represented at the holiday table look like the Rockwell portrayal on the cover of Saturday Evening Post, and too often, we assume they act as perfectly as they look. I want to give you some blessed good news. Your dysfunctional family is normal. To be clear, we all want to believe this year will be different. That the family will all get along. That Aunt Suzie will not have one too many glasses of wine. That past grievances will not be aired at the dinner table. That sibling rivalry will not rear its ugly head. And that Uncle Bob will refrain from telling dirty jokes and using profane language.
Let me give you some unsolicited advice. Lower your expectations to a realistic level. We are all fallible humans coming together around a dinner table in a pressure cooker environment with someone needing to blow off steam in whatever way appropriate or otherwise. Cut your family some slack. Be the grown-up in the room. Float above the turmoil. You don’t have to attend every fight you are invited to. Get a new attitude; one of gratitude. Be grateful for each person attending. We are often so ready to fault-find. Instead, find a quality that you can admire and tell them. Be the loving Christian who accepts and forgives others. Love as Christ has loved you. And enjoy the turkey. Happy Thanksgiving,
Linda
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