MORE ON FAMILY

In yesterday’s Journal entry I wrote about family from a couple of perspectives, both biological, relationships closer than family and spiritual family.

Another observation concerning family is to the negative and positive side. For example, if a person is raised in a dysfunctional family and gets married, they are very apt to bring that dysfunction along with a suitcase full of other stuff into the marriage. (Note: Yes, if you are a Christian you may still have a wagonload of abnormal issues to deal with to become a responsible mate and parent.) That would just make you like the rest of us. We all have work to do. I only worry about those who think they have no work to do and ‘have it all figured out.’

The reason to become a responsible family member is simply because the rest of the family needs it and should not have to carry another member any longer than necessary. Living dysfunctional can become a habit and lifestyle as easily as living well and in faith.

Another reason for Christian leaders to become whole and as well as possible is because whoever is led by a physically dysfunctional leader will transmit it into a spiritually dysfunctional leader… to teaching others in/by dysfunction. We can only produce what we are. For example: the dysfunctional parent with fear and repressed anger will infect other family members. But as a leader, especially if they are in a teaching/modeling/ public role, they affect a much broader family. Without change, instead of only a family unit affected, there is now a room full, a house full and building full of damaged brothers and sisters. Spiritual families may be as dysfunctional as a physical family. There is every potential for a leader from a dysfunctional physical family bringing that same lack into the leadership role of the spiritual family. Lord, help us to be honest.

“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” Jesus