Refuge of Joy and Peace

6He left that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. 2On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him. 4Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honor, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ 5And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6And he was amazed at their unbelief.  ~ Mark 5:1-6 

Many of us find it easier to smile at strangers and remain even-tempered, even in difficult conversations with people we do not know well.  We have also heard stories of parents talk about their children getting rave reviews by teachers and others outside of the family, and these parents seem surprised and asked if they were talking about the same children!  When we are at home, however, we tend to let our guard down and show our true feelings and emotions to those around us.  They see us as we are as a whole - the good, the bad and the ugly. 

Jesus found the same problem in His time.  People raved about His miracles and teachings outside of the town He grew up in, but the people that had watched Him grow up found it harder to believe that Jesus could be the Messiah.  To them, Jesus was an ordinary man!  How could He be so special?  

We need to be aware that even our own family members need to be treated with the respect and politeness that we so freely give to others outside of the family.   We may take them for granted and not always see how special they are, but we all are very unique and special in God's eyes.  It is time we step back and re-evaluate how we behave in public vs. how we behave at home and make a concious effort to be on our best behavior to everyone at all times.  In this way, our homes will always be a refuge of joy and peace instead of allowing negative feelings and behavior cloud our doorways. 

Prayer 

Dear Jesus,

It is so hard to be on our best behavior in public and not to let our guard down once we step through the threshold of our own homes - allowing pent up feelings and emotions take their toll on our closest loved ones.  Help us to always look for the positives in life - even at home - so that our lives reflect Your love to all around us at all times.  Please, keep the negative thoughts and feelings from taking hold of us in our homes so that our homes are always a refuge of joy and peace.  Amen.

~ Wendy Miller