God Loves Families
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“They replied, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household’”(Acts 16:31).
What do we want more than anything else for our families? We want unity and harmony, love and support. Right? That’s why it hurts so much when there is division, estrangement, and hostility among family members. During one such difficult time in our family, I hurried to my pastor for counsel.
“My most fervent prayer is for peace in my family,” I said.
“Jesus doesn’t promise this,” my pastor answered. “He promises peace in your heart but not peace in all your relations. It is impossible to live without hurt and disappointment in human relationships. Children hurt parents; parents hurt children. That’s life. If we cling to hurt and bitterness, we give Satan the key to our house. Only Jesus gives you all of His attention all of the time. Only Jesus understands all of your needs and can respond in perfect faithfulness.”
“How do I reach my children at this time?” I asked.
“Your influence will come out of your personal walk with God,” my pastor smiled. “Leave them in God’s hands, practice forgiveness on a daily basis, and keep communication lines open.”
Acting upon my pastor’s wise counsel, my daily prayer became: “Lord Jesus, help me to release my children into Your loving hands. I want Your grace to flow through me to them. I want to give them time and space to process what’s happening in our family right now. I will wait patiently for healing to come to each of us. I will resist the primary urge to jump in and fix it with much talking. May my words bless my children and not condemn them, so that they can grow and become the persons You want them to be.”
Letting go of expectations sets you free and it sets your children free. Without the baggage of resentment, God can do His work of restoration.
During a recent family reunion, as I listened to the bantering and laughter, and saw the obvious delight shown in being together, I kept whispering again and again, “Thank you, LORD.”
Dear Jesus, I want Your love and grace and joy to flow through me into my family and to all whom I meet today. Amen.
Questions: Are you carrying a baggage of resentment? How can we best be a positive influence for our family?
About the Author Helen Grace Lescheid
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It feels good to know you are not the only one with troubled children. This devotional has helped as Satan tries to do anything and everything to make our lives miserable.I am thankful for my pastor,his wife and family for their love to keep our family “a family of God!” Thanks to you for your words of encouragement also to make me a strong person in God and my family! God bless you! Thanks to this wonderful web-site for their inspiration and love.
This devotion came at a perfect time in my life! I have 3 children, one who disrupts the entire household with her behavior. I have felt, at times, this can’t be happening to my family. I have been angry at God, anger and resentment filled in my heart. I know I need to daily surrender this child to the Lord and especially practice forgiveness. Thank you for this devotion and for your website.