Karen and I returned from our Thanksgiving trip late Sunday night. Monday morning, I struggled out of bed, and turned on MTV’s Video Wake-Up. Christina Aguilera’s “Hurt” was the video that caught my eye. It’s actually an incredibly well-produced video, and, as much as I would like to say that I’m not a fan (her image distresses me), her bluesy crooning at the beginning of the song always hooks me. The video leaves you with the distinct feeling that you have a broken heart. It makes you think about your family.
Considering that I was already thinking about family, it was particularly thought-provoking for me that morning. Thanksgiving was spent with my end of the family this year. It was a little strange for my wife and I to ride around with my parents and for all of us to have the same last name…strange in a good way.
The fact that we slept in my old high-school bedroom was just straight odd, but we won’t go there…
I guess what strikes me is that the importance of family is so much more important now than it was in the past. Don’t get me wrong, it was always important…my family has always been a huge and important part of my life. Of the things that God gives us, I think family is the among the most important. But now it’s more apparent in my life. Maybe I’m just getting old, but I prefer to think that it’s the new chapter that has began in my life.
Before leaving town, we spent time with Karen’s aunt and uncle, and a friend that has no family to speak of, who jokingly calls our aunt and uncle her “pseudo-family.” She is unbelievably thankful for that.
Which leaves me even more thankful for my own (newly extended) family. It also leaves me more aware that showing Christ’s love to those without family is so critical.
Funny how basic truth has a way of coming back into focus.