First for those who wonder why (having said I was taking a break)I am blogging ( in words) before New Year, I say only that I need to think aloud....
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When we were walking the other day Tim mentioned that he felt we needed family at Christmas in order to experience true peace... with a house full of people, family, other halves and friends I have to say that Tim is right...
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Christmas Holidays highlight relationships and relational tensions, we have a family of young adults, they are used to living independent lives, and we have become accustomed to living our lives without constant reference to their needs as we once did. When the Christmas break throws us together we experience joy in one another's company, but also the frustrations and tensions that being together brings... we learn afresh the art of give and take, of flexibility, and perhaps most importantly of grace....
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Grace calls us to see perfectionism as a mask, and real love as a calling; love, to bear with one another and to celebrate one another...
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Grace is hard, and grace is costly...
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Grace calls us beyond ourselves.....
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I thank God for my family, for the messy floors and the cluttered tables, my house is a home and not a Good Living or Grand Designs advert.....
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My family does not wear masks, we have rubbed up against one another and created friction... but a hug and the words "pray for me" carry more weight that false civility....
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.. and yet I must pray.....Pour out your grace Lord, let me experience your grace....
