Family

So, I've been wanting to start a blog for some time but just haven't. I'm still not so sure yet what all I want or need to say! Who really cares? Right?
Just like when Hamlet was asked what he was reading.... his reply..." words, words, words." That is all it is! We all have them in us, and I suppose we want to put them down in print.... like they are important or something.


FAMILY--- there is a WORD for you. What does it bring to your mind? Love, acceptance, nurturing, hurt, betrayal, unforgiveness?
Probably a little of all of the above, if you have lived long enough.
Are any of us completely unscathed by our upbringing? And are our children? 
This whole thought on family has really changed for me these past few years. I look into the Bible and even from the very beginning, family has been a mess to say the least. If I listed them all, it would be all of them! 
A few that stand out to me though...
Hagar- She was just a slave girl. She had no say in what Sarai had concocted. So, she married Abram too and became pregnant. All the sudden, Sarai wants her gone! She leaves, and God sees her and tells her to go back and that He would make her descendants very numerous. So, she goes back. Then, when Isaac is born and Sarai is jealous again.... God gives them permission to send her and Ishmael away. He protects them and watches over them.
They made the mistakes-- they messed things up--- God still took them and made something out of it. The consequences are still with us today however.

Tamar- King David's daughter- She was wanted by her half brother, and he did everything to get her in bed. Once he did, he hated her and wanted her gone. She was devastated and told him he could marry her, but he just wanted her out of his sight. The Bible says she lived in her brother's house a desolate woman the rest of her days. WHERE was her father? Why did Absolam just keep quiet about it (until he killed him 2 yrs later)? The king's daughter-- living desolate!
She is so much like many of us as the KINGS's daughters (or sons).

We can let our family situations keep us living desolate or we can choose something better. 
Sometimes we can't do anything about our family situations and sometimes we can. It may have been something you did- it may have been something that was done to you- it may have been just horrible circumstances that you didn't have any control over-
"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will NOT FORGET you! See, I have you engraved on the palms of my hands, your walls are ever before me!" Is. 49:15-16
"Forget your people and your father's house, the KING is enthralled with your beauty." Ps. 45:10-11

All I know-- I have messed up! I did things I am not proud of, and I know it hurt those I love. I know that the way my family has responded to me has not been one I understand and maybe never will. There has been hurt on both sides and it may never be healed.
The consequences of my actions will always be with me. I can NOT undo them, but I can go forward with a God that promises " Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lam 3:23
I could list lots of verses. I know I am forgiven. 
For some reason though, some in my family think they have done nothing wrong, and maybe they never will. 
I have learned that for my kids- I will ALWAYS be here- no matter what they do. 


My view, on life in general, is that it is SHORT. Why do we want to waste time on unforgiveness? We ALL make mistakes, and thankfully I have a God who didn't just forgive me ONCE, but always. 
Consequences are always there! I feel them all the time; however, I am blessed and still loved. 
My new life is different. I LOVE differently now. I have learned quite a few things and still have plenty to learn. LOVE.... FORGIVENESS....GRACE....MERCY..... 
We all love those WORDS and like to see them in our life. See how much of that you can give out? When you are full of HIM.. it can be done.
You can even extend it to those that have hurt you. He tells us to do that.

Well, I could go on forever I guess. I will stop my WORDY rambling for now. 

Sherree