Today we reflect upon our close family connections, the bonds between parents and children and outward into our extended family. “You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.” These are wise words from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. How do we truly live this out though? In a society where family dysfunction makes for entertainment in onscreen drama and reality TV, how can we seek to see our family relationships (all of them) as “gift?”

 The section of 1 Peter 4 that Pastor Gina is preaching on focuses us toward being good stewards of God’s grace. As part of today’s sermon processing, think deeply and honestly about your family. How is grace apparent in your family? Is it a family value at all?  Does your role in family reflect grace, serve in grace, and speak grace? In places where you do not see grace reflected back to you, how are you still seeking to steward and share grace?  These are hard questions, particularly when there is woundedness within our family systems. Today, ask God to guide you in grace, to bring healing and amazing grace to your family. Our pastors are very willing to schedule time to talk about specific situations and to pray with you about family matters, so do not hesitate to reach out to one of them for support or to our congregational care coordinator, Mary McGhee Pasternak for supportive resources.