Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, greetings to you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As I squeezed into my car this morning, bashing my knees against the steering column and my head against the roof, I remembered why this was suddenly so difficult.  It was frustrating to re-adjust everything in the car, but such is the plight of a busy family.

I was in this predicament because of last night.  After another evening spent at the church, Leigh was headed for home with our two small children.  I, on the other hand, was doing something with five Sr. High youths.  The car I normally drive is small and seats only four comfortably, while my wife's car seats six.  The decision was obvious; we needed to switch cars for the evening.

On the way to the office this morning I was feeling a little embarrassed about being miffed when I first got into the car.  After-all it was a necessary switch we made, and I wouldn't have traded the time spent with the youth for a million dollars (ok, maybe for a hundred), we had a great time.  I realized my frustration this morning was really just selfishness on my part.  I wanted what I wanted when I wanted it, and I didn't think I should have had to make the sacrifice of adjusting the seat and the mirror and so on.  Never mind the fact that I didn't change back any of the things I moved in Leigh's car.  I guess I still have some improvements to make in myself.

Now it occurs to me, how truly similar my busy family at home is to my busy family at church.  We all know there are things we need to do to be the church God wants us to be.  We all know that we have limited space and time to accomplish the work before us.  Yet we all have our moments of selfishness when we want the church to be what we want, when we want it, and we can easily convince ourselves that everyone else ought to make the sacrifices necessary to make it work.  But that is not the life or attitude to which we are called.

From the beginning, the church has been an odd collection of competing people, needs and desires.  Paul's letters are filled with references to these little conflicts within the church.  1 Corinthians 12 is so clear in its message that our church family needs to work and live as a body, all working together properly for the glory of God in Christ Jesus.  Yet more importantly, in the following chapter, Paul outlines the even greater necessity of our love for one another, a love that among others is "patient; does not insist on its own way; is not irritable or resentful, [and] bears all things."

I know that all families have differences of opinions and members have different needs, but let us never stop striving to love each other as Paul describes and, more importantly, to love one another as Christ has loved us, willing to sacrifice all in order to serve others and glorify God.

May the blessings of God, the joy of Jesus Christ, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit be with you all,

Mitch