Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. (Ephesians 4:32)
I’ve been watching a video feed of an eagle pair that is incubating three eggs, high up in a Jeffrey Pine tree in Big Bear Lake, California. The mother and father take turns sitting on the eggs. Periodically, they stand up and roll the eggs. The mother takes longer turns than the father, but they trade places, so the eggs always stay warm. There have been several snow storms, yet the eagle stays in the nest. The father eagle sometimes catches a fish that he brings to the mother for food. They also bring additional branches to the nest and continue to maintain it. This pattern continues for over a month, until the eggs hatch, then the babies are tended for another three months until they leave the nest.
It’s enjoyable to watch this eagle pair work together to raise baby eagles. Even more so, it’s wonderful to observe a human husband and wife enjoy life together. God instituted marriage in the Garden of Eden, before the Fall. It is the most foundational relationship for human flourishing. At its best, it provides commitment and companionship – at its worst, it creates misery. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned, marriage has been difficult. Difficult, yes, but not impossible.
I like Paul’s instructions from Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Paul knows that we are not naturally kind, compassionate, or forgiving. Yet, with transformed lives through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be kind and compassionate, and we can forgive our spouse when offended. Kindness, compassion and forgiveness are essential components of a Grace Fueled Family. Grace Fueled Families show God’s love to each other and also to a hurting world.