Discovering the Generational Link (Part 3)

“Though my father and mother forsake me, yet will the Lord receive me” (Psalm 27: 10).

“But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, ‘Who is My mother and who are My brothers?’ And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, ‘Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.’ “ (Matthew 12: 48-49)

Certainly, I made mistakes in the past or I “unconsciously repeated” the wrong things passed on to me to my own children. Nonetheless, I’m sure the Lord knows my heart and how much I’ve been changing to do what’s right according to His Word and be there for my children.

Last night, while having my family devotion and prayer time with the kids, I wanted them to feel that there is a God watching over them. I let them know that there is not only God. But there’s also daddy who chooses to love and fight for them against the forces of darkness in our family bloodlines.

Aside from rising up and choosing God, God may also provide another “gift” for family healing. As I write this, I’m reminded of my 4-year-old Angel’s recent home stay with some Christian brethren who paid attention to her and became God’s “surrogate family” gift to the rest of us. This family takes time to sow seeds of healing and care for us at this sensitive period of our own family life.

I learned of the story of a youth worship team member in the church who comes from a severely dysfunctional family. His father is in prison while his mother is a drug addict. He experiences rejection and neglect from his parents as well as his brother and sisters. Somehow, one of the families in the church took an interest in him and showed him love. They would provide him allowances, take him to church and worship practices, and welcome him and feed him in their home.

One day, his mother died. He was devastated and heartbroken. Two days after the funeral, this young man was nowhere to be found. But eventually, some friends and relatives discovered him in a private room where he was worshipping the Lord and practicing church worship songs. Learning that, we may wonder how this youth would have coped in the situation if that Christian “surrogate family” had not taken time to care for him.

Intergenerational healing is a process. It’s not an overnight flash. God uses various ways and gifts to show Himself up during particular times of need and stages of recovery in the family.

“I will cause Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore the peoples will give You thanks forever and ever” (Psalm 45: 17).