It Is Good

Ellen Mongan considers the effect of sin on relationships within our families.

“People, people who need people, are the luckiest people in the world.” My Dad used to sing that song as I was growing up. Those words remain in my heart as a top ten tune to remind me of him.

As the holidays approach, maybe you are taking a little walk down memory lane yourself. Remembering the good days in the past with family and friends fills the heart with joy. Family is where the love of Christ is evident, and you can be yourself. The family was God’s idea in the first place.

In the Creation story (Genesis 2), we find that God knew people would need people. God created the first family.

God created a man and a woman who loved each other through His love. You could say that Adam and Eve agreed with God that “It is very good!” After all, they were residing in paradise where they were walking and talking with God. Then sin entered in and changed everything.

God promises to work things out for the good in the end, but there are consequences when we let sin in.

Out of Adam and Eve’s love grew life. They named the life Cain and Abel. I am sure they wanted to agree with God again that it was good—until sin entered into their relationships.

The Creation story is our story too. A man and a woman are born, meet, and fall in love, and “it is good” until sin enters in. Out of their love grows life, and they name them. It is good until sin enters in. Sin can ruin everything. It can ruin the most loving marriage built on Christ. It can ruin the most dedicated parents. Sin can ruin the holiest of children. Sin can ruin everything. No wonder the nuns warned us constantly, “Avoid the near occasion of sin.”

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The holidays are coming, and we all want to have the joy of the Lord in our homes. We all want the love of Christ to fill our hearts. We all want to agree with God by boasting, “It is good.” We all want to remember the good songs our daddies sang and sing them with delight. The words, people need people, ring true. No one wants to let sin enter in and ruin everything.

Around the holidays, I used to tell my friend, Anne, “The children are coming, and they are bringing their personalities.” We would both laugh. I am convinced that mothers can find humor in most things. Through the years, I have learned the art of finding the treasure within each person, from the smallest grandchild to my 96-year-old mother. Then I store that treasure in my soul, like my daddy’s song. I am always surprised at how that treasure will appear in my heart at just the right moment when I need a touch of God’s love. Then I treasure that memory all over again.

Maybe that is why Anne and I now joke about how motherhood has earned us a degree in psychology. Along the journey of raising our large families, we learned to listen with our hearts and appreciate each child for who they are. We tried to be quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness. As seasoned moms of adult children, we have spent time praying for them rather than giving them advice. Most of all, we strive not to let sin enter in. We know that sin ruins everything.

Jesus taught us the art of getting along with all kinds of personalities: Peter, who was brash; Thomas, the doubter; Paul, the know-it-all; John, the beloved. Jesus showed His love to all. He looked beyond the personalities and saw the hidden treasures. But God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. (cf. Romans 5:8)

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We are all people who need people. #catholicmom

As Thanksgiving approaches, find some time to pause and see if you have let sin enter your heart about any of your family, relatives, or friends. Examine your conscience and then go to Confession. Make a decision to find the hidden treasure within each person you encounter. Ask God to fill your heart with the thanksgiving of knowing God created us all differently and for a purpose. My friend Judy says, “If two people are exactly alike, then one of them is not necessary."

We are all people who need people. We bring our personalities wherever we go. We are all imperfect people loving each other imperfectly. We are all sinners who need a Savior.

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