The more stories I hear of people’s lives, the more I am convinced that the issue of family is, by far, the most dominant issue of our lives.

Our opinions may be torn on fiscal responsibility and the true factors of the economic downturn, but, get 10 people in a room, ask “Would you rather have the problems of the nation or the problems of your family resolved?” and you will get one unanimous answer: FAMILY.

There are so many things in my heart and I wish I could share them – and all the stories of others I’m pondering – but instead, I just want to offer this piece of counsel to those who find themselves in family struggles, fights, drama, cold wars, and brokenness.

Sometimes being a family member feels like you are on an endless cycle of hurt and healing, but oftentimes it’s our underlying expectations of what our families should be AND who we think WE ourselves should be in concert with those familial expectations that gets us in trouble. Much turmoil begins when we fail to cap our own preferences on our lives and let them bleed into the lives of how we think other people should live their lives. (Cuz, you know, family members always believe they know what’s best for you…)

It’s ok to have scars from family. We all do. Just don’t be another person in this world carrying baggage.

Scars, not baggage.