Family.

I've had a chance for the past couple of days to spend time with mine. We laughed, we shared memories, tears, pain, joy, and love. I'm blessed by my family who sticks by me no matter what, for the cousins who crack me up, who gives me hugs.
Being family isn't always easy. Instagram pictures, facebook feed, all of that gives a false image of what family is all about all the time. You see the smiles, the love, the roasted marshmallows, the fireworks, movie nights and chick flicks. You see laughter and silliness and games of dodgeball, which is is half of it



but you don't see the pain that can rise up.

It can be painful to have family, it isn't easy to love no matter what, it isn't just about joy and happiness. But I'm learning that pain can be good. You know the saying, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger? I believe that's true. Pain strengthens the love, strengthens what you thought was already fine. It pushes your boundaries and makes you dig up stuff you thought better left buried, and makes you stronger, makes you grow closer then you ever were before.

We don't like pain. We don't like struggles and fear and stress, but it's good for us. Pain strengthens your relationship with each other, with God, and makes you see how fragile life is...

but how beautiful, how rich it can be.

Family is truly a beautiful thing, whether it's extended, immediate, adopted, or friends you treat as family.



God is good all the time. In everything. In every moment.