“Mom, are you gonna cry again,” Mikey asked in monotone
before shuffling off to climb into their black diesel truck. As he climbed up
into the back of the cab and closed his door, mom smirked at his words and
repeated them to the rest of us within ear shot. We all look at her with a
knowing smile and reply,
“You sure will, let the bawling begin!”
Another round of hugs were given as our step-dad talked a
mile a minute about fishing trips in Yellowstone. All of us Shaw sisters (Minus
our Army-solider-Korea-resident-sister, Sarah), were dressed in black and white
tanks that mom bought us yesterday on our quick five hour shopping trip.Our husbands were busy comparing which Shaw girl looked better and throwing snow
balls at the camper and truck as it left our driveway. It had become the best
Christmas we had as a family. No hurt feelings, no yelling, no boundaries were crossed.
The Dirt
The dirt and grit that covered our family memories and reputation
had given way to grace over the weekend. Everyone had laid their weapons down
and bared their hearts for the sake of family and togetherness under the banner
of family (minus one hair pulling scuffle between Becky and I; and if my sister posts the video to facebook, I
just want to say I didn’t have anything to do with her disappearance).
Throughout our family history of volatile relationships, we all longed for the deep connections and bonds a family was supposed to have. Because of our broken background and fighting for ourselves, we managed to push each other out of our hearts, thinking that being on our own is best. After 12 years of seemingly drifting, everyone reunited on the grounds of Christmas time.
It reminded me of how God redeemed mankind with the birth of His Son, in one weekend, God redeemed our family from the brokenness we all felt. Granted, there are still some issues to work out, but what family doesn't have those? Anyway, God softened all our hearts and prepared them for forgiveness.
Throughout our family history of volatile relationships, we all longed for the deep connections and bonds a family was supposed to have. Because of our broken background and fighting for ourselves, we managed to push each other out of our hearts, thinking that being on our own is best. After 12 years of seemingly drifting, everyone reunited on the grounds of Christmas time.
 |
| Chy, Me, Jenna, Becky. |
Grit and Grace
Grit and grace go hand in hand. Chances are, if you’re
reading this, you long to experience the grace that God is waiting to give you.
He wants you to lay your past hurts and broken relationships on His alter.
Leave them there, let Him pick it up and put the pieces back together—His way—in
His time.
Sometimes before we experience grace, we’ve been smudged with dirt that’s gotten under our shell. Family causes friction for the lack of relationships, disrespect, or the smart words that have been thrown your way. We can either allow the grit to spur us towards God and His way of restoration, or we can allow it to pierce our hearts, leaving a mark that was never intended for any soul to bear.
Sometimes before we experience grace, we’ve been smudged with dirt that’s gotten under our shell. Family causes friction for the lack of relationships, disrespect, or the smart words that have been thrown your way. We can either allow the grit to spur us towards God and His way of restoration, or we can allow it to pierce our hearts, leaving a mark that was never intended for any soul to bear.
As lonely as holiday gatherings can be, allow
God to be on your thoughts this Christmas season, and when your family comes to
mind, pray that what is between you, can be broken. Hand it over to God and
thank Him for the work He is doing in their hearts, He is moving through the
grit, so one day, you can experience grace.
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