My mom wasn’t June Cleaver when I was a kid. My dad wasn’t perfect either in raising me. I was not raised Christian, at all. I can’t say that I’ve made it through life unscathed.
My childhood wasn’t something that would be remotely appropriate for a children’s storybook – this is part of my testimony and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
But I’m not writing to put my parents on blast or showcase their shortcomings.
My relationships are still strained and I would be a fool to be anything but prayerful, thankful and gracious towards my parents.
I love my father and my mother. I may not be the best daughter at expressing it through anything but obedience, but I know God is working in me to love them better as Christ loves me.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how family members relate to each other. I have a younger brother and we couldn’t be any more different. Unfortunately for us, we fought like a cat and mouse growing up, so we’ve got a lot of mending to do as well – and I know Jesus can! I love my brother.
The truth is dysfunction is very common in families. Now I’m witnessing first-hand this to be true as is evident around the world. Dysfunction is non-discriminating: it falls upon the rich and the poor, the majority and the minority, and the Christian and unbelieving.
So I’ve got some things to say about it to believers:
First of all, let’s not pity ourselves too much.
Here we are. We’re grown up. We’ve got choices to make and a God we can trust. God can heal us, and this is also something I’m personally experiencing and also witnessing in others.
This may be hard to do, but let’s stop dumping all the blame on our parents. Seriously.
We are all sick. We are all infected by sin. We are all weak. We all have insecurities and issues. Even parents.
There is probably nothing more sad than a wounded Christian walking around without joy because they refuse to let go of bitterness toward their parents.
We cannot declare the greatness of the Father’s love for us, and receive the forgiveness of the Son yet not extend that toward the people God sovereignly chose to raise us. If this is you, will you let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart right now and begin a healing work?
I’m confident that I can release my family to the Father’s love. (I can smile while typing this.)
I’m declaring complete forgiveness, healing and restoration in the name of Jesus for my family. I declare salvation in Christ for my whole family. I declare the power of love and God’s grace upon my family.
But it’s gotta start with me…
