How often do you pick up the phone and call people you don't want to talk to? Not often, right? What about if this is person is someone you don't want to talk to AND is a family member, does that change anything for you? Family matters. All of them, not just the ones you like. We need to be taking more time to invest in the people who are our family. I understand that we don't choose our family members, but God has chosen them for us, for a purpose. If we are going to be a witness to others and tell others that we love, because Christ first loved us.... We need to be leading by example in our families.

Recently i was talking to a faculty member at my school, we were talking over Chick-fil-a. We spoke about our families, and we both mentioned we loved our families despite our differences. Someone then chimed in "My brother and I have never gotten along, and we never will!" All I could think to myself was, how sad that was - and how rude for listening into our conversation *wink*. That mentality is part of the problem. If you have a set judgment on someone, such as your brother, and that you'll never get along, you won't be receptive to love or change in your relationship. Part of the problem is that you're not willing to let go, or forgive.

So often I hear of family divides, where one side of the family gets outed. For example, if you're married and you live near your wife's family, chances are you'll have far more communication with your wife's family, and not actually pick up the phone and call your own family, or take the time to see your own family. (Which is now both of your families, by the way). Why is this? Why are we OK with ignoring some of our families member's? I've heard of brothers and sisters not speaking for 20 years! I don't want to live with regret, I want to invest in my family, and I want my family to know I care. I will drive the extra miles to see my brother, i will sit on an airplane for 6 hours to see my mom. If I have the money or resources, I will travel to see the people who I call my family, because that's what you do as family.

The classic excuse I hear for outing or ignoring family members is that they live too far, or that they've wronged someone in your immediate family, or even you. We can't ignore the fact that often times, families selectively choose who they want in their lives. I've been guilty of this: choosing who I want to talk to, and ignoring those who have hurt me. I've decided that regardless of the situation, I need to love and forgive, as Christ has loved and forgiven me. Families need forgiveness, we need grace for each other. Time and time again, forgive each other. Hold on to each other. At the end of the day, that's what we have, family. Mom's, love your daughters, Fathers, love your sons. Brother's, sisters, respect each other. Mother in laws, respect your daughter in laws. Daughter in laws, respect your mother in laws. Love each other as Christ has loved you. You may not understand why you have been given some of the family you have, but God has placed each of these people in your life with a purpose. Learn from these people, love these people, and show Christ to these people.