I say “supposed” because that is no longer the case. Long gone are the days when holidays were dedicated to most of us rushing to our rural homes to be with our loved ones. We now live in a world where every man is for himself. The concept of family has been lost, bringing about painful repercussions like suicide, rivalry, hatred, and envy. Family is the first place where we are supposed to be taught love, discipline, acceptance, empathy, and so many other virtues that we need to deal with the struggles of this world. But sadly enough, that has become a rarity. So many factors come into play, causing a massive wedge within the family.
To begin with, a huge contra[1]diction between Pentecostal churches and native beliefs/ practices has led to a rift amongst members of these groups. With some churches teaching that it is wrong or ungodly to do what our forefathers did, anyone who does that is labelled a witch. That on its own is bound to cause tension among family members.
Then comes family status; you are not recognised if you don’t bring anything to the table, i.e. if you don’t have a reputable profession or studying/studied a course that elevates your social status. The only time you are acknowledged is when there are chores that need to be done. Instead of uniting and bridging the gap between family members, we stay away from each other due to jobs and other commitments. There should be a time when families can gather and share love instead of meeting only at funerals or weddings. Ironically, these occasions break some families further apart.
We gossip about each other on WhatsApp groups etc. Instead of being proud of each other’s achievements, we are filled with hate and scorn. We view that as competition; the more they are winning, the more the salt is being added to our injuries. Since the ongoing Covid19 global pandemic has brought about travelling restrictions, make it a mission to maintain peace and love in family groups. A united family stands!
Let’s take a breather and introspect: Do we want to pass on a legacy of broken families that could have been mended by uniting in our interactions as families, a legacy of hate, anger, jealousy and bitterness?
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