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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: The Family Reunion (06/05/08)
Do you ever wonder what causes arguments in families, and even the church? Why are some people always ready to ague first, and ask questions later. It usually comes down to “he said, she said”, and usually it’s not stated correctly, or even in the right spirit. Has anyone noticed that most arguments are usually over small incidental things that don’t amount to hardly anything? Oh how we at times become offended over the smallest matters. Usually arguments can be ironed out by healthy adult to adult communication, and a humbling of ones self to the realization that we don’t have to always be right. My family use to be the worse at arguing over small matters. We use to call this kind of “wrangling” PETTY BULL! That’s exactly what it was, and most of the time, the one who accused someone else it, most of the time were the guiltiest of it.

Petty bull comes in many forms. Maybe someone said something that another family member “blew” way out of proportion. Maybe mom saw an aunt’s kid do something that she perceived as rude or mean, and mom brings it to the aunt’s attention. The aunt thinks their kid can do no wrong, so an argument ensues. Maybe they end up not speaking to one another for a year. Family gatherings become the most tedious, and everyone knows that auntie is holding a grudge. Little “digs” and innuendos are the order of the day, which sort of sours the Thanksgiving turkey. The whole family gathering has to be ruined by a petty family grudge. And we wonder why we can’t get our kids to treat each other right. Kids emulate what they see in adults. Bitterness and resentment are the most two destructive forces in families today.

God in His Word tells us to love one another, and if we have a quarrel with someone, TO FORGIVE! This is speaking of relationships within God’s family, the church, but it can be applied to blood families as well. Believers in Christ should set the example for non-believers in families. Believers are the light of the world, and who knows if a family member may be won to the Lord by our chaste conduct and lifestyle. If we’re spouting off and holding grudges like someone of the world would do, them why should we expect our family members to want what we’ve got? The truth is, WE CAN’T! We must be the example that others look too, and never allow ourselves to be caught up in PETTY BULL.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Patty Wysong
06/15/08
There's truth here: We often get caught up in 'petty bull' and let ourselves become bitter, which destroys. You're right, families shouldn't be this way and WE need to make sure we aren't promoting or participating in it.