Obligatory Title

Doing this thing we call "Family" is a very difficult thing. It's often quite painful actually.

But in the end, I can say without a doubt it's worth it.

Most of the pain is a direct cause of the importance these people carry in my life and, as a result, this means that pain can often be inflicted without any intentionality to do so. At the same time, it also means, at least in my particular familial unit (and I'm intensely grateful for this), that the pain and difficulty does not completely negate the love that exists within those relationships, even if the infliction was intentional. This is where, though at times it annoys my impatient self, I'm glad my parents put such an emphasis on "talking things out". In order to reach a solution, there is required an honesty and a humility that is so difficult, yet, in the end (no matter how long or short it takes to get to that end), brings such relief and chances to reaffirm one another at a deep, needed level; chances to let Christ in to mend what has been mangled.

That process builds an even deeper love for one another, but also tends to leave a tinge of sadness that, in this world, staying engaged in relationships is such hard work. It reminds me of the temporary nature of this world and that I have something so much greater to look forward to: an eternal life beyond this one that not only isn't flawed, but is in perfect in every way. And this perfection will be enjoyed in the presence of my Creator, whose love I will then be able to finally experience as a new being, devoid of pain, lies and Death.

This line of thinking (about the difficulty of. . .humanness, basically), though it starts out depressing, is really the whole point of Christmas, isn't it? Left on our own, to put it blatantly, we suck. We were given a choice and we chose rebellion and pride. We chose to bring pain and Death into this world against direct orders. But God intervened to save us from the spiritual death we chose. He gave us a second choice: to continue as we are, or to accept that Savior. While this doesn't immediately fix our current condition or make our lives free of pain, it is the only way into that "better future" after this world passes away; that full reunion with Him and the way things are intended to be. It brings me to a humble gratitude that He would condescend to give us a second chance, especially one that involved the humiliation and death of his own blameless Son.

When I started writing this, I was pretty discouraged that all of these thoughts of brokenness and tension among people I love were so prevalent on Christmas Eve and that I couldn't go into Christmas feeling more "happy." But going through this thought progression, I've been reminded of some things I've come to take for granted and actually I've become much more appreciative than I would have been going into Christmas this year without having had these things to mull over.

Merry Christmas.


[Disclaimer: If you happen to be in my family/extended family and reading this, please do not think that a specific event or argument is at the root of this post. It's more just the multiple chances I've had to see a large number of related people (myself included) interact with each other for extended periods of time during a stressful holiday. Sparks inevitably fly. My discouragement at the "brokenness and tension" is not referring to some huge unresolved thing still clouding the air or anything, rest assured.]