“How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony” (Psalm 133:1 NLT).
Aaah, the holidays are fast approaching. Christmas sales are beginning even before your Thanksgiving turkey has been cooked! Stores have stocked and over-stocked shelves. Retailers have advertised to the hilt. Wish books have been mailed out to every household containing children–or grandchildren.
The holidays bring about a lot of emotions: excitement, awe, love, friendship, peace and let’s not forget—tension.
Not every family gathers lovingly around the yule log to sing carols or hang tinsel. Not every family gathers at the Thanksgiving table for a picture perfect American banquet. Not every family looks forward with anticipation to the time spent together. Not every family can tolerate each other long enough to even have a Christmas card photo taken.
As Christians, we’re called to go over and above when it comes to living in harmony. We’ve got to make the effort, give the most and expect the less when it comes to dealing with the unsaved, or even saved-and-not-living-like-it, members of our family—the family by blood and the family we gain through Christ. We’ve been given another opportunity this year to present God’s love to those He has placed in our midst, like them or not.
What better gift could we give ourselves, our loved ones, our world, our Savior, this holiday season?
Malinda Edgell
Illinois
PRAY TOGETHER: Today is the final day of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. Even if you have not yet participated in this venture, FWBIM invites you to join today in prayer and fasting for its current and future ministry. (Follow the link to read today’s request.)
