Family Grace - More Than a Prayer

Is it possible one’s capacity for grace is never more tested than with family?

Why is it we take more liberty in being critical, offering more (unsolicited) advice and questioning the decision-making ability of family than anyone else? I have some notions on why, but I’m not sure I have an answer or that just one is sufficient. What I do know is that I have seen more families fractured by careless words and rash actions than I care to think about, and this includes Christian families.

Families today are perhaps more at risk, more dysfunctional, and more undervalued than at any time in history. The wanting condition of our society only stands to underline the importance of strong and healthy family relationships.

On occasion, even with the best intentions, I think we can misunderstand our role as a member of a family. My role is not to change or correct, my role is to love and present Christ in my living. It is God by His Holy Spirit that does the convicting and convincing. I cannot be an influence for Christ if I find myself on the outside looking in on the life of my brother, sister, father, mother, son, or daughter, as a result of fostering a less than grace-filled relationship.

The ones I love—those God has entrusted to me in the relationship of family—need to be recipients of grace. The same kind of grace extended to me by God characterized by his unfailing love.

“Grace is not something simply to be claimed; it is meant to be demonstrated. It is to be shared, used as a basis for friendships, and drawn upon for sustained relationships.”¹

Those we love the most often require the most of us, including our grace.

Just a thought