From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided:
—Luke 12:52

Uncle Carl is not your enemy.

But on Thursday, it might feel like he’s auditioning for the role.

Not just Uncle (insert his name) either. It could be any family member you might sit across from at the Thanksgiving table, who has a totally different way of looking at the world.

This year, more than any I can remember, the family table is littered with dangerous traps. Is it even possible to have a civil dinner conversation anymore?

I don’t know. But I read this scripture and Jesus is being pretty darned blunt about this very situation. Actually, the verse before it is even more brutal:

Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 
-Luke 12:51

I’d love for Jesus to say something soft here… but nope! Jesus isn’t saying, ‘Go fight your family.’ He’s saying that following Him will naturally cause tension. Tension he doesn’t want us to sweep under the gravy boat.

The easiest way to get through dinner is…to not go, I guess. I know several folks who have been burned too many times, so the healthiest thing to do is maintain some distance. I get that.

For others, the answer is to keep your mouth shut. If someone triggers you, don’t take the bait. Talk about Wicked or Black Friday instead. Step lightly around those land mines and hope to come out intact.

But when Jesus was faced with a hard conversation, He told a story. Just before this, Jesus told a parable about a man who got drunk on the job and paid dearly for it. He was using a real-life scenario to get his point across–stay faithful, even when it’s hard.

Stories sneak past people’s defenses. A personal experience can elicit a different response than a political argument. Stories can show how the world has impacted you and the people you care about.

And then…pass the potatoes. Maybe listen, but don’t troll or get trolled. You’ve said your piece without talking points or triggers.

Of course, that may require some preparation. As you’re stuffing your turkey, think about what you’ve seen and experienced that scare you or anger you or cause you despair. You’re being vulnerable instead of winning points.

Uncle Carl may not listen, but you have been faithful and civil. An honest story or two can steer the conversation into the realms of real feelings and emotions, and away from a food fight.

No matter which “side” you’re on, you can share what it means, to you, to be impacted by the state of the world, and your efforts to stay faithful. You’re sharing from the heart, not from a platform.

This may be a lot for you and Uncle Carl to digest,

but you’ll both want to make room for pecan pie…

and the coming of Christ.

Have a Great Thanksgiving,

Mitch