Whether the holidays bring us closer to our family or we still keep our distance, they are always our family. Some family members are more loveable than others. We are more loveable to some of them than to others. But we are family. We struggle with accepting them as they are while we long for them to love us the way we need to be loved.

The Lord promises that he makes everything new!  Can you step back and take a new look at your family, warts and all, and see that the fruits of the Spirit are beginning to emerge in them and in you? Perhaps there is more than a hint of love and a little more joy since the last time you were together. Do you notice you bring more peace into the family gatherings? Are you more patient than ever before? Is one of them kinder to you than you remember? Do you see that goodness in them that the Lord puts in every one of his children?  Are one or two of them more faithful to family celebrations and gentler with you? Perhaps they are teaching you self-control, the hard way.

We may have a strong desire to heal broken family relationships. But our commitment to difficult family members does not require us to suffer in silence.  The Lord values family unity so much that when we give him our damaged relationships, he will heal them in his time. Healing is well within the Lord’s power. He can heal any relationship problem when we call upon him and commit to love and serve those he gives us to love. It may not be an easy journey of love, but it sure is hard enough!

When we act on our decision to love and care for one another by bringing the Lord into the family, the feelings will come later. Be not afraid! Those feelings will confirm that the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control he wants for you are growing each season.

Are you open to detecting the fruits of the Spirit emerging in yourself and your family.

(© 2012 Nancy H C Ward)

Nancy Ward, convert, journalist, author, and speaker, writes from Texas about Catholicism, conversion and Christian community at NancyHCWard.com, JOYAlive.net, and other websites and magazines. Through her Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story workshops, retreats and DVD, she shares her conversion story in Catholic parishes and at conferences, equipping others to share their stories. She contributed to the award-winning The Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion, facilitates two Catholic Writers Guild critique groups, serves on the Guild’s Board, and speaks at national writers conferences.

By Inspirational2 Comments on Holiday Fruits of the Spirit

2 Replies to “Holiday Fruits of the Spirit”

  2. Thank you, Nancy,

    The coming together of families does present challenges and may aggravate existing hostilities. The discord loudly reveals how out of tune we are not only with each other but with the “reason for the season.” The Prince of Peace may come an find us fighting. The gospel command that we lay down our gift at the altar and go make peace with our relatives, certainly applies here.

    Thanks again for sharing his most timely insight.

    Best wishes to you and your entire family as we approach the manger together.

    God Bless,

    Don

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