Most of us don’t reveal in detail to other people the struggles going on in our families. Unless we meet someone who is going through the same thing we are experiencing. Then we are willing to open up because he or she understands the heartache, pain, problems, and frustrations.
God, our heavenly Father, is also one who fully comprehends. He lived right in the middle of the trials, joys, and disappointments of an ordinary family. For God became flesh, in Jesus, and lived among us (John 1:14).
An ordinary and extraordinary home
Jesus’ family began with the potential of a scandal—an unmarried and pregnant mother. His father nearly broke off the engagement when he discovered the news.
Jesus wasn’t born in the comfort of their home, but while traveling. Then, because of political unrest and persecution, the family had to flee to another country for a while. Life must have been hard for the young couple, alone with a baby and no family or friends around.
Eventually with a change of ruler, they returned home and settled down to a normal life surrounded by relatives and a family of faith. Mary and Joseph were just a middle-class family making ends meet. Jesus learned the same trade as his father. And he had four brothers, and sisters as well (Mark 6:3).
Jesus caused his parents plenty of stress when he went missing for three days and although they didn’t fully understand what was going on, he didn’t do it again. Although his mother, well, she had to go through what no parent wants to experience, seeing her son die a painful death.
Jesus’ family then had to cope with his popularity and how he was disliked, too. Even his siblings had a hard time accepting who he was and what he taught.
Your home
What are you dealing with today? Perhaps it is frustration with teenagers asserting their independence. Or constant bickering of siblings. Maybe the struggle of moving your family to somewhere foreign or the mundane task of plodding along just to put food on the table. Perhaps you are dealing with events that shock others and bring disgrace. Or perhaps you are mourning the death of a loved one.
Let’s remember that God is not aloof from what happens in our families. You can bring all your pain and problems to him, with no pretense or holding back about what is going on—for he understands fully.
Pray
Photo by Jan Tinneberg on Unsplash