Family is a tricky business. Holidays, weddings, graduations, reunions, they are all the carnivals of life. They are the joy-filled, junk food laden, rollercoasters that leave a person exhausted, nauseated, happy they went, and happier they do not have to go back for another round.
I spent years avoiding extended family because I got tired of justifying my choices to people who did not want to understand. Just recently, I was told by a couple of my most vocal critics, that they were proud of the work I had done, the choices I had made, and fruits of my actions.
This revelation came after I had surrendered those relationships to God. He took care of the rest. I did not need to fight, debate, or justify my position. All I had to do was walk away and let God work.
Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled. Hebrews 12: 14-15