Recently I had to make a trip back home. My aunt passed away. I have other aunts but this was my mother's sister and I've known her my entire life. As I dealt with the realization that she was not here any more. I also had to deal with my own emotions. As a minister, I believe that I have a different understanding of life and death. But that does not stop me from thinking about the fact that I won't hear that laugh, see her smile or wrap my arms around her anymore.
During this time, as family we are all dealing with the same type of emotions. But unlike the previous times our family has gathered, there was clear division and a little more discord than usual. There was a general lack of communication early on. There were decisions made that were not fair to portions of the family. There was just a lot of confusion.
I was full of apprehension and trepidation as I traveled back home because I had no idea what would happen. Would my peace and resolve be tested? Would things remain peaceful or would someone decide to turn up? Truthfully with my family it could go either way.
But this is the thing that I love most about my family. With all of our differences, opinions, habits and thought processes there is one thing that is clear. The love that we have for each other is undeniable. It is what pulls us all together.
This was a sad time for all of us. Sometimes you have to agree to disagree just to keep things moving. Some of us may still be upset about things but it does not change that when we are all together the love between us can be felt. That's real. And at the end of the day whether we speak to each other or not, we are still family.
I love my family, each and every one of you. So, please do not ever doubt it. Remember this everyone, God is love. That feeling that we share and the connection that it brings comes directly from Him. God is so good. What would life be without the ability to love??? I cannot imagine. Make sure your friends and family know that you love them today.
1 John 4:88He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1 John 4:1616And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1 Corinthians 13:44Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1 Corinthians 1:1010Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 John 4:2020If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
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