Friday, May 17, 2013

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

I Want THAT One

Mark 10:9 "Let no one split apart what God has joined together."

One of my co-workers recently told me the precious story of when her son first met his sister. Three-year-old Herman was so excited to meet baby Stephanie. Family brought him to the hospital where she had just been born. They held him up so that he could look into the nursery where all the new babies were nestled.

Overjoyed, he pointed to one of the babies and said, "I want THAT one!" Completely amazed, his family members lit-up as they told him that was indeed HIS sister.

In context, today's verse was written to describe the union of man and woman in marriage, but I believe that this verse extends to all of our family members and God-ordained relationships. If God desires for husband and wife not to be split apart, He desires the same for the family that is produced through that union.

Just as God gave Herman an immediate love for his sister, God has given us a special love for our family members. Just talk about someone's momma and you'll see lol...

It may seem simple for little Herman to love his sister because she was only a baby, but what about as we grow older and things get a tad more complicated? I have seen many seemingly solid families fall apart because of built up rejection, anger, past hurts, jealousies, or fears. Sadly, we can sometimes be the ugliest and most hurtful to the ones we love.

Thankfully though, there is POWER in what God has joined together. When He is the glue that holds your relationships together, that relationship will be fused for eternity.

There will always be times when people or events will try to pry your relationships apart, and it's easy to do so if you only have light adhesive holding that relationship together. However, when we CHOOSE to live according to God's word, powerful commandments like love, forgiveness, patience and kindness are like GLUE that strengthens our bonds.

I challenge you today to fight for your relationships with your family and for your marriage if you are married. Don't give up when you feel the first sign of resistance. Even when the other person does not emulate the same Godly characteristics, keep exhibiting those strong, adhesive Christian qualities. As you are faithful to do so, those bonds will strengthen! Be the change you desire to see.

Dear Lord, Thank You for my family. Please strengthen my family relationships. Help me to forgive others and for others to forgive me for any offenses that have tried to tear us apart.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.