BIBLICAL HOMES:    It’s that time of year when many wish their families were as the beautiful Hallmark cards depict.  All smiling, peaceful scenery, pristine snowfall, Christmas lights aglow, children playing, immaculate homes and in our minds we wish within hearts our lives were much like the scenes pictured in those beautiful cards.  But the pictures do not paint a realistic view.  For all is not calm nor is it silent in many homes.

It isn’t a realistic view of life.  This time of year tends to magnify family problems.  Old animosities, jealousies, discord, hateful words resurface.  If once faithful family members are no longer faithful to Him, whether relatives or children, sadness and worry prevail.  We didn’t want it this way.  We wanted the picture in our minds to be as the Hallmark setting.  We wanted all present and all in harmony with one another. We wanted laughter and not the tears, not the angry words.  We wanted the hugs and kisses.  And when there is no hope a the end of the gathering, we drive away, feeling disappointed, sad and sometimes baffled at others behavior, vowing never to meet again in those strained and awkward silences and turmoil.  We wanted and we wanted, but life is messy and the devil works around the clock.  He knows no holiday and the more chaos he can create, the more division he can cause, the better he likes it.

“Lord, how are they increased that trouble me!  many are they that rise up against me.  Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God.  But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.  I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill.”     Psalms 3:1-4

We have here the peril, struggle, prayer and victory of an Old Testament character.  It give the experience of the him and the then – and hope to the us and the now.  For we are all brothers in trial, the difference being only in time and degrees.  David’s own son Absalom led a revolt against him.  Trouble in the family.  Trouble in the kingdom.  When a man’s family does not stand with him, it multiplies his hardships.

The scoffers got busy.  They always do.  They said, “There is no hope for him in God.”  A common joy of sinners is to taunt the people of God in their trials and the ridicule that they are God-forsaken.

But the writer never lost faith.  In the face of peril, David turned to prayer:  “I cried unto the Lord with my voice.”  His enemies used their voice to defy God.  But he used his voice to address God.  What a difference!  And enough to always make a difference.  For God heard him  He won.  They lost.

Repose came to David.  He could sleep.  He was sustained.  But more trials are ahead, and trust must go with him and it does.  Thus he says, “I will not be afraid . . . ”
~ Leroy Brownlow

There are no easy answers to family situations for all have different problems and a time which should be of reconnecting with family sometimes breaks down into more than we wanted, but for the faithful child of God there is prayer which gives us strength to get through these times.  Family gatherings should not be a test of endurance, but one of visiting, laughter and memorable moments for as sad as it is to say, I remember reading a card which had much truth, “Let’s have a family gathering for the remaining family members who still speak to each other.”

May your holidays be one of many good and memorable moments and not the latter.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”   (Psalms 46:1)

Eileen Light