Read This Before You See Family Today

I was compelled to send this today.

Look, I know it’s Thanksgiving morning, so I’m going to be brief.

But as what I’m about to tell you was ruminating in my mind I knew I had to send a post this morning.

Did you know that January is known as “divorce month?”

It’s not the leading month for divorces, March is, but there are enough rumors of divorce and divorce lawyers are busy enough in January for the month to get this infamous nickname.

There’s a myriad of reasons why the month could have such a connotation, but I think there’s one component that we can’t overlook before we see our families today.

I think January is considered “divorce month” because it follows the month we’re forced to spend with our families.

And something was the final straw.

The passive-aggressive comment.
The sarcastic jab.
The…you can fill in the blank.

But it’s not just a marriage problem.

How many families were destroyed with one final meal at a Thanksgiving table?

The passive-aggressive comment toward a wayward son.
The sarcastic jab at a brother-in-law.
The…again, you can fill in the blank.

Some of you may be entering today, fearful that it will be your last meal with your extended family before everything hits the fan.

The question I want to pose is simple: What can you do today that can bring a portion of peace to the table?

We must be people who do whatever it takes to live at peace with our family members.

Here are two things:

1. Get rid of all your bitterness

2. Only speak to bless & build-up

Get rid of all your bitterness

Bitterness destroys you.
Bitterness kills your joy.
Bitterness steals your life.

And when you bring bitterness to the family table your family will feel the consequences.

Bitterness allows us to justify our hate. Bitterness tells us that it’s all their fault. Bitterness gives us reason to speak harshly to people without sorrow.

Are you bitter?

Perhaps the first 30 minutes of your day—or your drive to your in-laws house—may need to sound like this:

God, I confess I’m still holding onto that thing they said. I’m giving it to you.

God, I confess, he’s being an idiot. I could put him in his place, but you’re the one who can get his attention—not me. I give him to you.

God, I confess…
God, I confess…
God, I confess…

Only speak to bless and build up

Did you know most people are barely holding on?

They feel like they’re messing up at work, school, sports, etc.

They feel they aren’t good enough dads, moms, husbands, wives, grandparents, etc. Their pent-up frustration and anger are most likely to come out at the people they feel safest with—family.

One sharp and critical word could be enough to set a person off and destroy a family.

Now, they’ve got to work through that—that’s their responsibility.

But what if you chose to season your words with salt? What if you made an intentional effort to build everybody up? To give everyone at the table a genuine compliment? To bless them with your words, not curse. It’s the Christians's responsibility to bless.

You’ll have an opportunity

Your opportunity is going to come:

To light a fire

“As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.”
—‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭26‬:‭21‬

Or to bring peace

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
—Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬‬

No matter how difficult it’s been, the Holy Spirit can go before you and help you bring peace.

This is your moment to make a Kingdom impact in your family.

—Brandon

Photo by David Lezcano on Unsplash