I love my family- I really do. Some people, ok a lot of people, ask me if I miss them and think I'll move back home. Well, yes I miss them, but no I don't think I'll move back home. I am home wherever I am. It is not always easy. It is not always my ideal. Would I prefer to have the traffic and nasty air filters of the big sprawling city or would I enjoy driving along a winding road to watch my cousin play in her tennis match or soccer game? Heck yeah the latter, but family is not my calling at this juncture in my life, not who needs to be served and reached right now for the furthering of the kingdom of God. I believe I am right where God would have me. I think I am following Him daily as best I can (yes I mess it up sometimes, who doesn't!?).
I have taped to my bathroom mirror a verse: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:26
I heard a great sermon on this once. As it is so very harsh and brash to hear, especially if u do love your family. Believe me, God and Jesus does not contradict himself because the Bible also surely does say to respect and love and care for your parents and family. But the meaning behind this verse that I like as it was explained to me is this: it will appear to those in the world, to those on the outside, to others, that you hate your family...not because you do, but because you may be called to leave them to go follow Christ.
I am okay with that. Some days are easier than others. Sometimes you will miss them, He didn't say it would be easy to follow Him all the time. Sometimes you will be blessed by a visit, a note, a phone call, a txt message or picture (gotta love technological advances that are a little more recent than Bible times). Pretty sure Jesus didn't text, but he did drink wine, well that's another box of worms debate;)
All I'm saying at the end of the day is that I truly do love my family; sometimes it might not appear that way. We are not perfect, in fact we are far from it, well, guess what, we are human: saved by God's free grace that over flows and makes restitute for a variety of things.
Can I get an amen!?!
