As G.K. Chesterton put it: “The best way that a man could test his readiness to encounter the common variety of mankind would be to climb down a chimney into any house at random and get on as well as possible with the people inside. “Aunt Elizabeth is unreasonable, like mankind. Papa is excitable, like mankind. Our youngest brother is mischievous, like mankind. Grandpapa is stupid, like the world; he is old, like the world. Those who wish, rightly or wrongly, to step out of this, do definitely wish to step into a narrower world” (ibid.). It is in the family that we learn how to navigate the differences between people while maintaining a love for them and living with them.  When we are living it well, we learn in the family how to “bear with” one another with patience.  We learn to place things in perspective and how to get along.  We learn how to pray, how to approach God and others for forgiveness, and how to extend mercy to others as well.

We are so quick to reject family members who don’t “accept” us or “understand” us or “sympathize” with us. God placed us within the family we are in to grow in salvation with one another. It is not easy. But neither is living with mankind in the world. Developing the habit of only finding like-minded people is to merely surround yourself with yourself. Ego driven. Open up and learn to deal with patience – not to give up so easily – to listen – to laugh with one another – and know that your life, your way of dealing with others will change dramatically.