When your loved ones don't understand

When Jesus returned to the house where he was staying, the crowds began to gather again, and soon he and his disciples couldn't even find time to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him home with them. "He's out of his mind," they said.

Mark 3:20,21

You expect your family and friends to see your best self, or at least to give you the benefit of the doubt if they don't understand what you're doing.  You think they will see the best of your intentions and your actions.  Surely, they of all people, will see you for who you really are! 

If you are like Jesus, however, you will have times when you are sadly disappointed by your family. Because they are so close to you, it hurts all the more when what they think is so horribly wrong about your motives or your behavior.

Well, the good news is that you are in great company.  If Jesus, God the Son, could be completely misunderstood by his earthly relatives, then you shouldn't be surprised when it happens to you. This truth doesn't begin to take away the sting when it happens, but at least you can know you are not alone. He has walked in these pain-filled steps before you, and he walks with you through them.

Look again at the verses above. Jesus relatives thought he was crazy, while he was carrying out the very ministry he had been destined to perform by God the Father, and fulfilling the prophecies made about him. His mother had been part of his supernatural birth--how could she try to squeeze him into a small life? 

Sometimes those people who should see you the most clearly are the 

most blind to your greatest strengths. Strangers and friends may see in an instant the treasure inside you, while your family overlooks it entirely.  You may have to let go of a false hope that your family will "get" you if you can just make them see who you really are.  You just may never be able to do it. I'm sorry. 

No wonder, later in Mark 3, when Jesus was told that his family was there to see him, he essentially said, "Who is my family? Those who do my will are my family!" To go on with your life, you might have to accept your friends as God's apology for your genetic family.

Don't give up on your family, though.  Remember who was at the crucifixion. Most of the disciples deserted Jesus that day. His dear friend, John, and his mother were willing to stand by him in his agony. God raised the two of them up to give the gift of their presence to Jesus at his worst moment. Mary's heart and her actions were able to align to support her son no matter the cost.

You and I have misunderstood our dearest relatives, just as they have misunderstood us. We're as prone to mistaking their motives, missing their strengths, misjudging their actions as they are.  We all need to go before the Lord, and ask for ways to make things right with our families, and daily ask for ways to keep things right.  God has given us the families we have for a reason, just as he gave Jesus his family.

Lord, show me the treasure that you see in each member of my family. Give me understanding for them. Thank you for your understanding of every one of us.