The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6-7)

Dear Beloved Church Family,

I am pastor Sophia. Have you ever felt misunderstood by someone you love?

Maybe a spouse or a child misread your intentions. Maybe your best efforts were overlooked. Maybe you’ve even asked, “Why don’t my spouse and children see how much I care?” These moments can leave quiet scars in our heart.

The painful story of Cain and Abel is our story. Sometimes, we may have a child who says, “You loved my brother more.” We may feel unloved, unseen, or forgotten.  We may be corrected when all we wanted was comfort.

Here’s the good news: God does not abandon us in those feelings. Just as God came to Cain and asked, “Why are you angry?”—God still comes to us, not to shame us, but to offer a better way— A way of grace, not grievance. A way of redemption, not revenge. The God of Cain and Abel is not a god of favoritism. Our God still shows up even when our hearts are burning with frustration. Our God engages us, challenges us, and calls us toward something better than bitterness.

It is so easy for us to misunderstand the love we are receiving. It is so easy for us to wear the title of “victim.” But Jesus invites us to break that chain and say to us “Cut off the cycle of pain with me, not through your own strength, but through the Spirit of forgiveness.” What a powerful Spirit it is!

Church, I don’t know what you’ve been through. But I do know this: God has been involved in your life even when your love is misunderstood. God’s love does not disappear. When you choose grace over hurt, you become a healing balm in your family and this church.

This week, I invite you to reflect: Where am I still carrying the weight of misunderstood love? Where might God be calling me to choose mercy instead of memory?

Please join us this Sunday as we explore what it means to see with God’s eyes, not just our own. Come with your questions, your wounds, and your hopes. You belong here. I believe God has a word for you. Amen.