When We Act Broken In Our Ways...
A "NO Stinkin' Thinkin'" Blended Family Thought
In our regular weekly Blended Family Fellowship on Sunday mornings here in Kansas City we have some tremendous and very cool people. Rebecca and I often say 'we get more back and learn more from others when we teach than we give'.
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| Ron and Laurie Grant |
They have great joy and love. Also, like most, they have faced trials. They are shining examples of trusting God, perseverance and knowing that 'God is not done' in any situation. A couple to be emulated.
Recently as we were talking about behavior and situations that arise in stepfamily dynamics Laurie said 'You know I bet God is sad when that happens.' I thought to myself... 'Self...that is profound and people should think about that in their blended family interactions...or for that matter...anywhere'. I asked them for permission to borrow and 'expound' upon their wisdom with what came to my heart when she said that.
God is the almighty powerful force in the universe. The Bible shares where He has got mad, brought about consequences, plagues, storms, fire, wind, you name it. Jesus even got mad at His disciples when they fell asleep in the garden after he asked them to pray. Or when Jesus overturned the tables in the temple. We've read of God's upset. But we often don't think, and we should, 'does God get sad?'. 'Do we hurt our loving Heavenly Father?' I think the answer is YES.
I don't want to enter into a 'theological' debate over this. I'm not a Pastor, nor theologian. I did seek scripture on this and welcome anyone else's thoughts. But for those who want to point out my contextual errors... I also share wryly a quote from my friend and a wonderful man of God, Zig Ziglar, "Some people find fault like there's a reward for it." Keep that one tucked away in your heart for future reference in your life.
Certainly as a Father, we can imagine the sadness God felt when His Son Jesus was tortured, mocked and crucified. Think on that sadness for a minute. Jesus was sad when Lazarus was dead. The shortest verse in the Bible? John 11:35 "Jesus wept".
I am pretty sure that "God is sad when He sees...."
- a smart person like you make poor choices when knowing better
- our hurt and pain and tears over relationship struggles
- a divorce and the ripples it causes through people's lives
- children's lives impacted by parents who bicker over custody
- a husband or a wife unleash a sharp tongue to their spouse
- a misunderstood stepfamily member not fully grasping how to cope
- the hurt and pain that children feel when they miss a parent
- He sees the hurt and pain a parent feels when they miss their children
- the light in a child's eyes dim when they're blasted by a stepparent
- ache in a stepparent heart when a child shouts 'You're not my Dad!'
- a 'christian' treating a divorcee or single parent with disdain
- a couple turning away from Him for marriage solutions
- all the "Stinkin' Thinkin'" that goes on in selfish hearts
- observes me - maybe you too - and sees my bad spirit about things
See God sees all. He knows your joys and your sorrows. Loves you the same when you are good or slipping in your walk with Him.
Ephesians 4: 29-32 shares it so well for blended family relationships:
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
God does 'grieve' when we treat one another wrongly. He forgave us. We are His children He wants us to model ourselves after His ways.
Rebecca and I have always shared with our six children "Do what's right...even when no one is looking." If we coach, mentor and teach our children honor, truth and unconditional love, whatever their biological role, we are serving them in their life. If we show grace and mercy and 'The Golden Rule' in tough situations (former spouses, treating children fairly, etc), even when it's hard, then our children and future generations of their children will be blessed.
Rebecca and I have always shared with our six children "Do what's right...even when no one is looking." If we coach, mentor and teach our children honor, truth and unconditional love, whatever their biological role, we are serving them in their life. If we show grace and mercy and 'The Golden Rule' in tough situations (former spouses, treating children fairly, etc), even when it's hard, then our children and future generations of their children will be blessed.
There are a lot of cool things going on at The Bonded Family. Visit our website to see. http://www.thebondedfamily.com
* Zig Ziglar's Daughter Julie Ziglar to speak at TBF Luncheon May 20th
* Weekly Coaching Program that pays for future conference investment
And you can join us - you don't have to attend our church - every Sunday and "Meet Ron and Laurie" in person. You'll love them as we all do. For info about the Sunday Fellowship our blended family resources, write: dan@thebondedfamily.com
Keep Looking UP!
