Hello brothers and sisters;
I flew back to San Diego last Tuesday for a reunion with my siblings all in one setting. Only one of my younger sisters couldn't make it. The whole time went great until Saturday, the last day before I would fly back to the Bay Area.
In one of our discussions about the food preparations I was about to make a suggestion but my other sister made an abrupt "open hand
motion" directly at my face to keep me from talking. I felt this was a rude gesture but I overlooked it until it was my turn to speak.
Later my step Mom (who just turned 80 last month) brought up out of nowhere an argument I had toward another younger sister (the one who was absent) that would have occurred some 20 years ago. She told step Mom that since that day she never wants to speak or see me again. All this coming from my step Mom.
I was surprised and unprepared because I really don't remember that argument from 20 years ago, and it was difficult to restrain myself but I managed. My other sister (with the hand motion) immediately looked at me and her face had a reaction of judgment suggesting her mind was made up what my step Mom said to me in front of the whole family.
These two incidences were probably minor things that can happen between parents, siblings and close relatives but it took the joy out of my last day.
Later that evening before I went to sleep I prayed and confessed to the Lord to reveal any wrong doing on my part for I was very confused and don't know what to do.
I'm still processing what happened and at some point the Lord will guide me in addressing my step mom and other sister separately and in private. I may also write my younger sister a letter who lives in Mississippi.
Practice What We Preach
Psalm 62:5-8, 5 My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah - NKJV
All Christians are not exempt from difficult relationships with our immediate families who are not believers or followers of Christ Jesus. Non-believing families can manipulate their Christian family members and lead us to feel we are worthless in our testimony and remain the same crust we used to be. Don't give in to that!
Those of us who are in a daily relationship with Jesus are not forsaken. God continuously builds up His / our relationship, exposing us as light and salt in our spirit and flesh including our body language. He does a continuous work in us daily. God's love and building up is too pure to be manipulating.
I love my step Mom and two sisters that I mentioned. They are not believers and don't see me as a man of God, instead the (my) old person who still remains the same crust.
Please share your experiences of challenged family relationships, how does God and Scripture guide you?
Love in Christ.
Bob
I flew back to San Diego last Tuesday for a reunion with my siblings all in one setting. Only one of my younger sisters couldn't make it. The whole time went great until Saturday, the last day before I would fly back to the Bay Area.
In one of our discussions about the food preparations I was about to make a suggestion but my other sister made an abrupt "open hand
motion" directly at my face to keep me from talking. I felt this was a rude gesture but I overlooked it until it was my turn to speak. Later my step Mom (who just turned 80 last month) brought up out of nowhere an argument I had toward another younger sister (the one who was absent) that would have occurred some 20 years ago. She told step Mom that since that day she never wants to speak or see me again. All this coming from my step Mom.
I was surprised and unprepared because I really don't remember that argument from 20 years ago, and it was difficult to restrain myself but I managed. My other sister (with the hand motion) immediately looked at me and her face had a reaction of judgment suggesting her mind was made up what my step Mom said to me in front of the whole family.
These two incidences were probably minor things that can happen between parents, siblings and close relatives but it took the joy out of my last day.
Later that evening before I went to sleep I prayed and confessed to the Lord to reveal any wrong doing on my part for I was very confused and don't know what to do.
I'm still processing what happened and at some point the Lord will guide me in addressing my step mom and other sister separately and in private. I may also write my younger sister a letter who lives in Mississippi.
Practice What We Preach
Psalm 62:5-8, 5 My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah - NKJV
All Christians are not exempt from difficult relationships with our immediate families who are not believers or followers of Christ Jesus. Non-believing families can manipulate their Christian family members and lead us to feel we are worthless in our testimony and remain the same crust we used to be. Don't give in to that!
Those of us who are in a daily relationship with Jesus are not forsaken. God continuously builds up His / our relationship, exposing us as light and salt in our spirit and flesh including our body language. He does a continuous work in us daily. God's love and building up is too pure to be manipulating.
I love my step Mom and two sisters that I mentioned. They are not believers and don't see me as a man of God, instead the (my) old person who still remains the same crust.
Please share your experiences of challenged family relationships, how does God and Scripture guide you?
Love in Christ.
Bob
