Date
November 21, 2024
Categories
Home
Gospel
Parenting
A storm is raging…
A dad, mom and their three sons are abandoned on a ship that crashes against the rocks of a deserted island. They fight off sharks, lions, live in a treehouse, defeat a band of pirates, find love, and learn that unexpected blessing is found in the rubble of defeated plans.
You have probably figured out that the story I am referring to is Swiss Family Robinson. The 1960 Disney movie version is one of our family favorites.
Your Family Story
Did you know that your family has a story? Every family has a story. That’s sort of funny to think about, isn’t it? Your story might not be as adventurous as the Robinsons, but it is no less important to your children’s future.
Could central casting put together a more interesting cast than what we have in each of our families? Consider that highly talented screenwriters could not dream up the crazy conflicts and obstacles we deal with in our families on a daily basis. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction. Hollywood has nothing on us.
At this point you might be thinking, “My family story is more like a tragedy. We are more like the Montagues and Capulets!” Our stories include a mix of zany, light-hearted moments, seasons of great joy and times of intense struggle, grief and pain. We all see the underbelly of what happens in our homes. Honestly, we probably see more failure and disappointment than success and joy. I have some good news.
Your Family Story Can Change
In fact, your family story will change. It must change. Each family stories is a small elongated scene in God’s far more encompassing story.
If we in Christ, then guess what? Our family story—with all of its dirt and grime—is a redemption story. This truth provides an instant change in perspective on the things that are often like the sand in our bathing suit at the beach.
That little argument with your spouse about the color of the lights on the Christmas tree, your teen’s ungrateful, snitty attitude about bringing their dishes from their bedroom to the kitchen sink, the depleted savings, the C- grades at school: every scene, every season—every moment is a scene through which the plot of redemption is waiting to be woven. This begins with a simple yet profound change of perspective. I want to share an example of how this change of perspective helped our family.
A Redemption Story
Recently the timing belt broke on my son’s car, er my car, as he was navigating rush hour traffic. That was bad enough. Then my long-time mechanic’s words, “Eric. Your car is dead” (after I had invested $ 7,000 in it over the last three years) was salt being in the wound. The real pain was in finding a replacement.
Looking for an affordable car that is in good shape and owned by someone who you hope is not a felon is mentally exhausting. It means scrolling through endless lists of clunkers, arranging a time to inspect it and the stress of wondering what you’re missing.
Leslee and I were able to engage that without the usual angry, frustrated emotions because our perspective about the whole situation changed to one of rest because we knew God was working through it.
With that change of perspective, we were able to see God’s hand in the whole matter that lasted eight weeks.
Leslee’s parents loaned Jack their car while we searched for a replacement. We found a good car an hour away and my brother who has excellent car sense happened to be available to look at it. The owners seemed honest and also accepted my negotiation on the price.
God provided a sound car, at an affordable price. Jack saw God at work for him in his hour of need. This was what we call a “Redemption Moment”.
How did that happen? How did a bad situation become a positive moment? Our family story has a new wonderful scene, a new chapter where we saw redemption when Jesus entered the story. How did Jesus enter this particular story? How can Jesus enter moments like these and turn them into redemption stories? We will talk about that next time.
Immediate Help For Your Family
Until then, I want you to simply consider that your family story is a story of redemption. When you face difficult moments, whether fleeting or longer-lasting, start looking at them as having a redemptive purpose. God is up to something good through this problem. It is amazing how that simple change of perspective helps us approach the challenges of daily life in a restful, hopeful, confident way.
Check out our latest podcast: Are Chore Charts Good?