Anticipation
Be merciful to me, LORD,
for I am faint…heal me…
Psalm 6:2
Jason was from a broken home.
Truth-be-told, he was one of six players on his team who had
experienced the pain of divorce. It was a bond they secretly wished
they didn't share. As he stood court-side, with the ‘Star
Spangled Banner’ playing over the school’s PA, he scanned the
bleachers. His dad had promised to be here, but Jason had felt the
sting of disappointment more than once when his father had failed to
keep such a promise.
He knew his dad’s job took him out of
town a lot, and he never knew when they’d send him somewhere at the
last minute, but Jason was hoping tonight wouldn't be one of those
nights.
A huge smile lit up his face as he
discovered his dad watching him from the fifth row directly across
the court. Tom winked, and gave Jason a ‘thumbs up’, encouraging
his son to do his best.
That his dad was sitting on the
opposite side of the court from his mom still hurt, but it hurt a
little less knowing they were both there.
†
Too often our children pay the price
for our mistakes because we wrongly model for them how they are to
conduct themselves as they mature; the child of a broken home can end
up in failed relationships because they've not been taught how to
correctly relate.
Not all marriages can be reconciled.
When counseling and commitment aren't able to repair the wounding
that takes place, or dangerous circumstances are present, divorce is
a justifiable option.
But God wants us to fight for our
marriage and children, and resist giving in to the temptations of
weariness and hopelessness. He also wants us to know that, if the
relationship does fall apart, He doesn’t love us any less. He’s
still there, ready to bring healing. God also wants us to know we are
not 'defective' because of broken relationships. We are still His
perfect creation, in need of healing. And God will lead us
through the pain when we submit to His guidance.
You see, just like Jason, God scans the
bleachers in anticipation, hoping He’ll find us looking for His
smile.
Prayer
“Lord, You are the God
of mercy and grace. For those who know the pain of divorce, bring
peace, comfort, and healing. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
No comments:
Post a Comment