Family can be hard...especially around Christmas!

Within the last 48 hours I've been brought into four different but each very difficult family scenarios from people within our West Valley family. I'm betting many, if not most, of you can relate to them at some level.

One is an early forties heavy-hearted daughter who is having to travel out of state with her husband and son to bury her very, very difficult father who passed away a few days ago. The second is a brokenhearted couple having to tell their mid twenties addict son that he's got to be clean for ninety days before they'll see him again. The other two families don't have similar outward and obvious causes of pain but due to internal dysfunctional family dynamics the pain is very real and magnified significantly during the holidays.

The good news is that each person that shared these situations with me loves the Lord and truly loves their families no matter what they do or how they live. What was unquestionably common among them was:

1. A solid confidence in the truth that God is in control (Romans 8:28)
2. A passionate desire to please God more than pleasing others or themselves (2 Corinthians 5:9)
3. A strong commitment to Romans 12:18 "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be a peace with all men"
4. A consistent practice of Mark 11:25 "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone..."
5. A thankful heart 1 Thess. 5:18 "in everything give thanks for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

They are a clear demonstration of the power of God in them and great examples to follow this Christmas season!

His Kingdom Come!
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