A Prophet Without Honor

Being home with family and friends for the holidays has been such a blessing for us. We have had time with my parents and brother and nephew and a new addition, Kaylee, who is 2 ½. We have had Christmas with Mike’s children and some one on one with a couple of them. We intend to spend some time this week with Mike’s mom and sister and their family, and we will go back to visit and begin the rounds again on Christmas Day night. This becomes a difficult time because this is our last visit until next Christmas and we love our parents, brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces, children and grandchildren and realize how difficult it is on everyone. For us the hardest part about being home is the pressure from our families wanting us to be next door. We have family scattered in 3 states and each one wants us to be there for them. We must be where God wants us to be no matter what the cost. In Luke 18:29-30 (“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.”) We are reminded that we are to follow Christ for the sake of the kingdom of God and Mike and I know we are to be obedient to His calling. Make no mistake, Jesus promises His followers a hard time: deception, war, disasters, persecution, treachery and death. But it is hope that enables us to resist and stand firm. Mark 6:4 says, Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor. Even Jesus struggled in His hometown. Please pray for us during this time that they would be renewed by God’s love and grace. Pray they would realize their void isn’t us but it is the relationship with Jesus they are missing. Jesus is the only one that can fill the void they all are longing for. When they have this right then all of the other relationships will fall into place. Thanks for your prayers and may God Bless you this holiday season.