...when...

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Thomas Jefferson was a brilliant man.  In my life time to this point, I haven't done much study on his life or upbringing, but to read his writing is aweinspiring.  When I read his writing, I can feel the indellible connection of his words to the words of the Bible.  I know the above words are a mere tip of the proverbial iceburg, but I feel the same would definately hold true when applying the above principles to family relationships. 


Luke 12:51-53 KJV "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: (52) For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. (53) The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law."
[I'd venture to say brothers and sisters too]

Ephesians 4:11-16 KJV And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.[emphasis mine]

When...

...in the course of family events...

...one speaks the truth in love...

[love must be tough]

...one is ostrasized...


...it is time to shake the dust off one's feet and move on...

Matthew 10:14 KJV And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

...when this happens...

...sadly...

...it is time to give them over to God...

[according to the next verse]



...with a broken heart, grieving their loss because they're dead in Christ...

...please pray for me as I mourn for their loss...



Brotherly Love

1John 4:20-21"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen. (21) And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also."

Sibling relationships are interesting to behold. As a mother, I watch my children interact with one another and at times it gets a little hairy, but at other times they knock my socks off by their kindness toward one another. My husband and I are working very diligently to encourage the children to have good and edifying relationships with one another because according to the above scripture, they need to have love for one another. There are some days we go to bed wondering if we had accomplished that or if we could have done or said something else to bring them closer.

One thing I always try to do is to have them pray for one another. When they pray for each other, for good, lovely and pure things, the bad feelings, hurt feelings, possibly ill will, pretty much dissipate.

I know that for myself, when I pray for my own siblings, I pray for good, lovely and pure things on their behalf. That doesn't mean that relationships get healed or anything like that. It just means that it helps me in my own spirit to pray for all things lovely, pure and good on their behalf. When you, yourself, pray for someone where the relationship is strained and all you're wanting for them is for God's goodness to be upon them, there is a healing and a peace that engulfs your whole spirit. It is such a peaceful, wonderful time to spend with God, in spite of a strained relationship, to look upon your siblings with love through prayerful petition.