“We are like porcupines, huddling together in the cold. We want to get close to each other but when we do it hurts.” Does Schopenhauer’s quote describe your family gatherings? A little time with family can be great. A lot can be painful. Why is it so hard to be with the people whom we love the most. Tim Sheperd wrote, “When all I seem to do is hurt the ones I love the most . . .” Old scars make us guard ourselves lest we feel further pain.
John is a meddler, isn’t he. God’s love in our lives empowers us to love others. In fact if we say we love God but do not love our own family members and church family members we are lying. It makes sense. We have never seen God but say we love him. The evidence rests in whether we love the people we can see.
So go ahead and love your family. Give thanks that God has placed you with these people. This does not mean we bless the abuse of others, or accept further pain. But it does mean we forgive and release others, for their sake and ours. The world is cold. Huddling with porcupines is painful. But being alone is worse. You are not alone. God is with you. Let his love empower you to love today.
