A sweet older woman complimented me recently on our large family saying, “It’s so nice to see a family that’s not dysfunctional these days.” I nearly burst out laughing because we are definitely dysfunctional and are no way the model family by most standards. I won’t list all our failings but, our 2 best things may be: sticking together and loving each other through all the mess.
All we like sheep…
I looked up dysfunctional and it said, “Not performing normally, having a malfunctioning element, behaving outside of what is normal in human society.” That’s pretty vague. What’s normal? Where’s the standard or moral basis being used? Each syllable helped me get a bigger picture.
Dys – means ill or bad. Yet God considered each of us worthy enough to pay the price of His Son’s life for our salvation. That’s Value to be respected and remembered. God says we have worth!
Func/tion – is the purpose for which something is designed. Family is meant to be a unit. A haven and safe zone from the outside world. Its a place to question and debate. It’s where we first learn to love our neighbor. If you can learn to love your sibling, you can love anyone!
Al – is having the character of. We humans are really good at making messes. Sometimes we create such a disaster we can’t fix it, but there is One who brings order out of chaos and beauty from ashes. He is never overwhelmed or at a loss. He does not despise small beginnings, He always encourages “little” faith.
So maybe we are dysfunctional – but God continues to shake us down, heat us up and overturn the disasters of our lives, showing us again and again He is faithful! He’s not blind to our mess, but He’s not deterred by it either… He challenges it, and uses it…
ForGlorySake! -Anna
