"Peace, Joy, and Pancakes")
This year has given us the opportunity to spend a lot of time together as a family, which is a wonderful gift in today’s busy world . . . except when it isn’t! Bickering, sarcasm, put-downs--do any of these sound familiar to other parents of adolescents? In one of those downward cycles, we decided to adopt a short Bible passage as our family crest. Okay, I admit, I’m using the royal “we” here—I assigned the kids to memorize Colossians 3:12-15.
I love the way the New International Reader’s Version puts it out there plain and pithy:
You are holy and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don’t be proud. Be gentle and patient.
Put up with each other.
Forgive the things you are holding against one another.
Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you.
And over all those good things put on love.
Love holds them all together perfectly as if they were one.
Let the peace that Christ gives rule in your hearts.
As parts of one body, you were appointed to live in peace.
And be thankful.
