Being the Family Glue

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This past Sunday I was holding our youngest grandchild during the song following Ray’s sermon. This grandson is six months old. Ray was standing in front of the pews, facing the congregation. He was directly in front of us. Our grandson looked at his Notty and then turned and looked at me, looked at his Notty and then back at his Little, over and over and over again. Other members of his family were sitting with us, but he didn’t look at them, just back and forth between Notty and Little. Of course, I wondered what the little fellow was thinking. Somehow he seemed to know that we belong together.

I am grateful that he has a grandfather and grandmother who are in love with one another and who are together. Years ago a mother told me about her husband’s affair. She told me that she did not leave him because she didn’t want to break up their family. They were married for over two decades more while loving and caring for one another. I know that is not always possible, but I deeply respected her choice. It worked well for them and was a great blessing to their children and grandchildren.

A young mother and an older mother have both told me recently about family relationship difficulties that are hurting their families’ ability to enjoy Christmas together. The young mother and I talked about how we can choose to be the glue. We can be the ones who forgive and who keep on keeping on in spite of what others choose to do or not do.

Perhaps you are facing the holidays with painful family relationships, with parents who are no longer married, with angry, unforgiving siblings, or some other difficult situation. May God give you grace to be the best glue you can be.

Be the glue with your husband and children, too. I am not suggesting that anyone stay in an abusive or dangerous situation; I know that some women are victims in situations they simply cannot change. In many cases though, families can stay together; and if they can, they must. I encourage you to do what you can today to keep your family glued together for the sake of your children now and for the sake of your grandchildren in the future.

Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth,
but if there is any good word for edification
according to the need of the moment, say that,
so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, 
by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
All bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander
must be removed from you, along with all malice. 
Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other,
just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:29-32

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