It’s crazy how often we find ourselves praying for one thing and then the words of someone we love or respect smack us right upside the head with the truth about what we need in place of what we thought we wanted. This past Sunday, I entered church in a very snippy mood. My children had aggravated me to the point I was not feeling very faithful. I kneeled in the pew and prayed for God to help me handle my little heathens.

It just so happened that this Sunday was the feast of the Holy Family and the readings were about what God asked of Mary and Joseph, how Mary held all the worries and wonders in her heart, and how Jesus grew smart, strong, and full of grace. Our priest Father Tony is one of the most relatable pastors we could ever ask for. He started his homily by speaking on how happy it made him to see the way our community always comes together and the work we do to raise our children well. He went on to say that he knew not all families were made the same. He mentioned the “nuclear” families, the blended families, the families made up of grandparents raising grandchildren, foster families, and any variety of “dysfunctional” families possible. He told us of his estranged brother and how it hurt him to think of his brother’s decision to remove himself from their lives.

Father Tony acknowledged that he was angry with his brother, but he would always welcome him home with open arms because no matter what his brother did, he would always be family. To tie in the Holy Family, Father mentioned that they too were unconventional and had to adapt in loving each another and growing through the phases of life. The one thing that caused them to stand out was that they kept Jesus, the Christ, at the center of their lives. Father challenged all of us to recognize that we will struggle just like Mary and Joseph, but we will also grow in grace, strength, and wisdom if we keep Christ at the heart of our intents.

After his homily, I felt like I’d been wrapped in the words I needed to hear. I may have thought my problem was that I deserved to be listened to and respected because I am the parent. My real problem was my failure to parent with Christ as my guide.

This realization allowed me to return home with my family and a new attitude. I prayed that it be Jesus’ will for me to find the right words to speak to my kids about their behavior and ask them to help at home in ways that would benefit everyone. The day was more peaceful, and the new year rang in with a focus on Christ at the center of my efforts to lead my family.

Today I encourage you to center your focus in ways that will allow you to show the grace, compassion, knowledge, and strength demonstrated through Christ’s guidance. We can learn a lot from the way Mary and Joseph accepted what was asked of them and their successful raising of a family in times of uncertainty. I’m not certain how the Holy Family figured it out, but I’m certainly glad they did.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. Every family needs a little dysfunction.