Coming our way via Elizabeth Duffy:
People line up on the issues. Unfriendings occur. People stop seeing old acquaintances whose company they used to enjoy, but whose politics they find revolting.
And yet the social media skirmishes are a pretty minor problem when compared with the subtle way division occurs in our closest relationships. It really is the triumph of Satan when families decide that the battle for unity is no longer worth it.
Sister-in-law has totally crossed the line with her insensitive comments. Mother-in-law doesn’t
understand personal boundaries. Brother has made bad choices with his life. Sister is so perfect she makes everyone else look bad. So many families, even families untouched by major family schisms like divorce or abuse–Christian families–come unhinged when relatively minor grievances take on inflated significance.
Having strong emotional reactions to everything that happens in a family almost always ends in emotional exhaustion, and finally in indifference. Our worlds become smaller. Our thoughts and emotions grow bigger. And Jesus becomes more and more a theoretical entity that we’re always trying to meet in our minds and hearts, but are rarely meeting in real relationships.
When I say, “Christ must increase, and I must decrease!”–how does that happen? How does Christ become bigger to me, so big that my own interests, doubts, insecurities and confusions disappear into his vast presence?
understand personal boundaries. Brother has made bad choices with his life. Sister is so perfect she makes everyone else look bad. So many families, even families untouched by major family schisms like divorce or abuse–Christian families–come unhinged when relatively minor grievances take on inflated significance.Ms. Duffy attempts (successfully in my view) to answer her own questions at her place.
Check it out. Have a meaningful Thanksgiving. This, when heeded, will help make it so.
Carry on.
