Thankful for...

As I sit here on my in-law's couch and look at my beautiful children cuddling with each other across from me, I can't help but reflect on the million different ways I am blessed each day, and I guess that is a good place to be on the Sunday night of Thanksgiving weekend!! (And yes, I know I said I would post on Thursdays...but hey, be thankful I got a post up this week at all! =) )

For anyone who reads the parent newsletter that I email out each Tuesday (and if you don't get it and would like to, please email me and I will add you to the distribution list!), you know that this week I talked about thankfulness a lot - from the fact that the word "Eucharist" actually means "thanksgiving" to how I often struggle to maintain a truly thankful posture.

I have been lucky enough to spend the last five days with my husband's parents, 3 of his 4 siblings, and their spouses and children - a total of 9 adults and 5 kids, ranging in age from 1-8 years old. Needless to say, it was not the quietest of vacations! And with all those people, and all those personalities, in one house, at times, we all felt like we needed a little space to ourselves. 

But last night I was standing in the dining room looking into the kitchen as my mother-in-law, one of my sisters-in-law, her husband, and one of my brothers-in-law were talking and laughing as they moved around each other during the post-dinner clean up routine. And I couldn't help but smile. Because in that moment I realized something - I am incredibly blessed to have this family. Sure, we may not all get along all of the time and sometimes there is tension or we get on each others nerves, but at the end of the day, we love each other - and that matters way more than any of that other stuff. 

That got me to thinking about Jesus and His disciples. I mean, here was a group of 13 men, traveling almost constantly, staying where ever they were welcomed, and no doubt living in tight quarters and basically on top of each other for around 3 years! If my family can't last through a 5 days holiday without some strife, then surely the disciples must have had their fair share of "family drama"! And in fact, we hear about some in Mark 10:37-45. 

It is the story of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who ask Jesus to “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” (Mark 10:37) Now, this was a pretty bold request, as the chairs to the right and the left of the host were the seats of honor at a banquet table, so basically, James and John were asking for special treatment from Jesus - for Him to make them the highest among the disciples. 

What would happen in your family if one of your siblings or other family member asked the head of your family to make them the favorite and give them special treatment? I know what would happen in mine, and it would not be pretty. At the least, there would be a lot of hurt feelings, whispering and talking behind that person's back, and the worst, yelling and tears. 

Similarly, when word of what James and John had asked reached the disciples, we hear in Mark 10:41 that "they became indignant at James and John." Another word for indignant is infuriated. Not just upset, or annoyed - but infuriated! Imagine the scene - a group of 13 men, stopped on the road to Jerusalem, with 10 of them yelling and screaming at 2 of them, and one standing to the side. 

What would you have done if you were Jesus? What would the head of your family do in this situation? Honestly, if it was most of us, we would probably be yelling at the 10 disciples yelling at James and John, and the whole scene would descend into chaos. But that is not what Jesus did. 

When Jesus saw what was happening, instead of just getting mad and yelling, "Jesus summoned them and said to them, 'You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.'” (Mark 10:42-45) 

Instead of participating in the chaos, Jesus called his followers to something higher. He showed them how they were all acting exactly like the Gentile leaders who persecuted their people and reminded them that they were meant for a higher purpose - not to lead, but to follow; not to be served, but to serve. 

It is a reminder that we can all use from time to time - and perhaps especially at the end of a long holiday weekend that we have spent surrounded by family that, while we love them, can occasionally really get on our nerves. Our families are never going to be perfect - because they are all made up of imperfect humans. But as members of those families, we can strive to love perfectly - the way that Jesus loved those 12 men on the road to Jerusalem.

And the reminder that I am called to maintain a servants heart and humble disposition at all times, even, or perhaps especially, with my family, is something that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend, and always.


434445