Heart Paths by Alice Sawtelle
Once again the atmosphere, tone and mood of the nation takes precedence over my plan to write a feel good story. It’s 3 am. I’ve been up a couple hours and counting. A cup of hot ‘Sleepy Time’ tea with a small dab of honey has failed to bring relief to my insomnia. Husband got up to check on me and make sure I”m ok. “Just another night in paradise” I thought as I assured him that I’m fine. He turned and went back to bed and I’m hoping he can get the sleep and rest that is evading me.
“Where have all the flowers gone?” An American folk song from 1955 written by Pete Seeger. The lyrics and melody began churning in my head as I was finishing my tea, bringing on a familiar melancholy feeling of sadness and I heard the question in my mind; “Where have all the families gone?”
Over past many years and worsening in recent months there seems to have been a war declared against the family. It’s a spiritual war! Just like the one declared against our country. I’m reminded that scriptures say that in the last days fathers will turn against their children and children will turn against their parents. Scripture also describes how the very first family begin to break apart. The fall of mankind was the prelude to the fall of the family!
So, where and when did family begin? Simple answer for me. In God, of course! In the heart of God. And God said, “Let Us make man in Our Image, after Our likeness. Then He said to let them have dominion over the fish, fowl, cattle and over all the earth and every creeping thing on the earth (paraphrased). So God created man in His own image, in the Image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them and gave further directions to be fruitful, multiply, replenish, subdue and have dominion over the earth (paraphrased). So I conclude that since mankind was created by God, in His own image, we have always been part of the family of God.
Of course, the story didn’t end there, as any bible believing man or woman knows. In came Satan, that old lier and deceiver and messed with God’s family. He hated God and he hated God’s creation, the family. He still does!
But back to the beginning. Why did God give Adam a companion called woman? Again, simple answer for me. For companionship. I think maybe God knew the feeling of needing someone kind of like Him. Maybe He was lonely. Maybe He wanted kids. Apparently Adam was lonely. That feeling may have come from the Father himself. He did make us like him. Right? And He created man and woman to be able to reproduce and multiply . So, the first family. Right?
So, what has happened to families? That old jealous liar the devil, has sought to corrupt God’s plan from the beginning. He came to steal, kill and destroy and if all else failed he at least would connive and employ a plan to deceive mankind to worship him, instead of the one true God. That would break the heart of God! In God’s heart and out of Him was our beginning. What an evil plan. Similar to the plan that originally got the devil threw out of Heaven! His name was Lucifer then. He wanted to be God then, too.
Returning again to the thought and question, “Where have all the families gone?” It seems that God’s original plan and purpose for families has deteriorated and fallen apart. Today, I believe the family is under the worse attack ever. Old folks and children are so often abandoned without family to love and care for them. Siblings have turned against each other and many times parent and grandparents are left feeling that they have totally failed the very ones that were dependent on them to love, teach and prepare them for life. Feelings of depression and hopelessness are paralyzing many people. Families are destroying themselves from within.
However, some families have held tight and haven’t yet given up. It seems many of those are people of faith. They are clinging to God’s word and believing that He will provide a way. I’m wondering if there is any hope for the family, the backbone of America. Hope for the brokenness of the family structure. Hope for the strengthening again of the family unit. For the comfort and assurance that is soothed by others being close to us. In Ecclesiastes 4:12 scripture tells us that “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can defend him. And a cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” This describes a weaving of a type that creates much strength in a cord or rope. This can pertain to people in general. It can pertain to an intertwining of people with God, through His spirit. I choose this scripture as a defensive position for the family. Broken families loose strength when separation comes, communication breaks down and ties are broken. We are made by God with a need for fellowship and communion. Relationships were taught and built by God. Right? He walked and talked with Adam and Eve.
Folks, I conclude that God is community. God is family. God is Triune, three cord. And we came from Him. In the same pattern, shall we not begin to stretch and remold our families to conform to His image. I challenge every reader to set forth a goal of praying for families, starting with their own. Even though that natural bond should be the strongest and would seem to be the easiest starting place, it may prove to be the most difficult. We will be pulling on our own heartstrings. Also, first steps are often the hardest. Then as our prayers become more habitual and natural, should we not extend those prayers to the families around us. Our community and neighborhood.
For those families who are already strong in their faith and have strong family units, pray that God will send people to you, who need you. Those that will be receptive to your help and strength. I also employ you to not do anything in your own strength, but to follow the leading of the Spirit. You remember, right? That still small voice. If you seek, you will find. If you ask Him, He will speak to you and guide you down the right paths.
If we can not fight for our families, is it not futile to try and fight for our country? Truly folks, prayer is one of our strongest weapons. I take this subject of the family very personal. I intend to approach my prayer time with a more critical attitude. Because, I think the time is very short and it is a matter of life and death. For our families and for our country. I choose life and I will begin praying with a greater intensity for the lives of families. Yours and mine.
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