The Simple Life at Home

We will be leaving next week for our visit with my husband's family. The upcoming days will be spent in packing, cleaning house (we'll have a housesitter while we are away so...), and generally running around like crazy.

But amid all the physical preparations that need to take place, we are also trying to prepare our hearts.

Last year's visit was, well, painful. While I love my husband's parents and siblings, there was a lot of conflict last year between our children and some of their cousins. There were several arguments amongst the grownups, which happily my husband was able to play peacemaker for. There were plans for a family wedding that fell through. The whole trip was very stressful, very emotional and very hard.

This year, my children are naturally reluctant to spend time with their cousins. They still vividly recall the hurt feelings, the unkind words. Hubby and I have been trying to explain to them that, as Christians, we have the responsibility to be forgiving and to continue to try to show Christ's love. None of Hubby's family are believers, save one niece, and we really want to demonstrate the love of God to them while we are there.

But I have to admit that, deep down, I still harbor hurt feelings as well. You can insult me and I will be able to move past it. But, like a Mama Bear, hurt my young and I go blind with rage. I know it's irrational of me to be angry with children who are too young to realize what they are doing, but those feelings are still there.

This trip will be different, I know. Circumstances have combined to mean that we will be spending less time with everyone except for Hubby's parents while we are there, due to one reason or another. On top of that, we'll be driving (more on this later), so we will have our car with us and can be more independent. Still, there is apprehension.

So a big part of my preparations this week needs to be prayer. Prayer for forgiving hearts. Prayer for healing of wounds. Prayer for things to be better this year. Prayer for the ability to clearly show Christ to our family.

The other stuff is the easy part.