Have you ever wondered where you belong? Looked for a place to fit in? Felt all alone right in the middle of all your people? It’s okay. I have too. We all have. Together matters even when we don’t feel the connections as we’d like. Home matters, too, because that’s where belonging begins.
I am a mother of 4, grandmother of 15, great grandmother of 8 and I once thought when there were fewer kids that gathering them all together was the perfect day. There are good memories of those perfect days. But sin entered into two kids marriages and hurt feelings happened. Some have resolved while others haven’t. I think of how God said He’d like to gather His children together like a mother hen and her chicks and yet they wouldn’t obey.
I teach and demonstrate forgiveness to all my kids and spouses and ex spouses and children yet I can no longer expect reconciliation between them all. God has to be the One to work in each heart singly. I praise God for those who on their own decide to reach out to each other and I see God changing hearts .
Your writing is beautiful. I wish there could be perfect gatherings again. My husband and I are no longer the center for holidays as families have expanded to many in-laws and that is certainly less stressful. My joy is in knowing that they are in their own time working out their salvation with fear and trembling with their Heavenly Father as I had to when I was younger and one day we will all meet in perfect peace with our Lord and Savior.
Janet thank you for your thoughtful response. I know that longing too well for those days when all my children would still gather together under one roof. But you are so right and wise to give them space to work out their salvation and relationships on their own. I too know how very hard that can be! May the Lord continue to grant you sweet pockets of shared moments with your kids and their growing families.
I am a mother of 4, grandmother of 15, great grandmother of 8 and I once thought when there were fewer kids that gathering them all together was the perfect day. There are good memories of those perfect days. But sin entered into two kids marriages and hurt feelings happened. Some have resolved while others haven’t. I think of how God said He’d like to gather His children together like a mother hen and her chicks and yet they wouldn’t obey.
I teach and demonstrate forgiveness to all my kids and spouses and ex spouses and children yet I can no longer expect reconciliation between them all. God has to be the One to work in each heart singly. I praise God for those who on their own decide to reach out to each other and I see God changing hearts .
Your writing is beautiful. I wish there could be perfect gatherings again. My husband and I are no longer the center for holidays as families have expanded to many in-laws and that is certainly less stressful. My joy is in knowing that they are in their own time working out their salvation with fear and trembling with their Heavenly Father as I had to when I was younger and one day we will all meet in perfect peace with our Lord and Savior.
This is a hard season for my husband & I as well. Thank you for sharing your life too. We can encourage one another - praying all return.
Janet thank you for your thoughtful response. I know that longing too well for those days when all my children would still gather together under one roof. But you are so right and wise to give them space to work out their salvation and relationships on their own. I too know how very hard that can be! May the Lord continue to grant you sweet pockets of shared moments with your kids and their growing families.