Every other weekend

Three straight days of Thanksgiving feasts and a long weekend where family and friends gathered to share a meal and a moment are in the rearview mirror now. Plenty of food and football followed, but an interesting observation came upon noticing how truly blurred familial lines have become. Parents, grandparents, multiple marriages, step-children, half-brothers and sisters, the adopted, not-too-distant cousins, foster nieces and nephews all cast aside their blood lineage (Psalm 33:13) and morphed seamlessly into oversized clans without DNA definition. Pulling the loose ends together, you might describe those who willingly take on such challenges and responsibilities as “parents without borders.” Somehow, many couples are able to delicately balance all the expectations and make things work with plenty of patience, love, temperance, determination, hard work and good humor. There’s no doubt that God’s hand is evident when watching these diverse group dynamics in action. Given today’s startling divorce statistics, it becomes even more difficult to maintain a sense of belonging when children are shuffled from one house to the other, particularly during the holidays. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit is found in this season (Romans 5:5), shining His light of love on all who gather together, grateful for their place at the table, and blessing those who knowingly watch and understand. In the seasonal silence, the sound you hear may just be that of fences being mended and hearts being healed. All things are possible (Mark 10:27)…