Devotionals

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"But I don't want to. I told you already, I do not want to go to church. I want to watch the football game."

"Josh. Will you listen to yourself? What will the kids think? We have always made church attendance a priority. They haven't always wanted to go but we made sure they were there."

"I know, but that is for the kids. Kids have to obey when we tell them what to do or else they'd never learn to function in this world. Obedience for a child is the most important thing they'll ever learn."

Jane was exasperated. His logic was now going in circles. "What kind of example is it that you are setting if you choose to sit here and watch football after you have told them they can't miss Sunday School? It is a double-standard that will undo everything we have built."

"Mom?" It was Jillian, their oldest, taking a risk to interrupt. "Mom, it is okay if Dad wants to stay home. I'd rather that he stay home to watch that stupid game then to listen to you two argue about it all day."

"Great. Just great. Now we have become squabbling parents. See what you've done." Jane stormed out of the room lashing her frustration out towards Josh. She ran into the bedroom, slammed the door, and threw herself on the bed. "Oh God," she cried to herself. "What is happening to this family? Why are we arguing on this day, your holy day? Why can't we just simply go to church and not have any of these issues today? Help us Lord."

The sobbing continued as Jane lay thinking of the week that had just ended. She and Josh had been arguing non-stop. Every little thing seemed to boil up into rancor and discord. Her thoughts wandered as she began thinking back on the good times of their marriage. How she and Josh had met and how they came to know Christ together. Their marriage was made in heaven. Everything seemed perfect. As the babies came, they had centered their lives even more closely on God. They intently modeled Christian ethics and morals in everything they did so that kids would come to know God themselves. They openly lived their faith so it would become the foundation and heritage for the generations that were to come.

But now the kids were older. Jillian would be leaving for college soon. They were all busily involved in school and church. More often than not Jane and Josh were finding themselves alone in the house and the words "empty nest" began to show up more frequently in their vocabulary. Things were changing and not all for the good.
"Oh God, please help us and lead us back into your arms."

"Jane?" Josh had quietly entered the room and, sitting down on the side of the bed, he tentatively reached out to touch his wife's back. "Honey? I'm sorry. I was wrong."

The tears burst forth and all of her pain with them. "I just want us to be a family. Can't you see what's happening? Just because the kids are growing older doesn't mean we can stop showing them how a family is supposed to be. Going to church is not an option. If learning to obey is important for the kids then it is important for us, too. God wants us in church so we should be there."

"You are right and I was wrong. I guess I am just not handling things very well right now. You know how difficult things are at work and I do not have any idea how we are going to pay for college."

Jane turned to look her husband and took his head in her hands. "Faith. It is all about faith, now more than ever. You have to trust God."

"I know but it's hard."

"Yes it is, but remember that it has been hard before and He has always carried us through. Don't give up on Him now. Follow Him and He will lead us through this."

Josh lowered his head onto his wife's shoulders and let the tears flow. They sat there, just the two of them, allowing the healing between them to take hold.

"Mom? Dad? Isn't it time to leave for church?"

Josh turned to his daughter standing in the doorway. "Give me a few minutes to get ready and we will all go together."

Closing Prayer:

Loving Father: We lament. Our lives do not always turn out as we have planned. Things happen to us that cause pain and change takes us to places we were not expecting. Unprepared and scared we cry out in pain and frustration. Anger rules the day and we begin seeking relief anywhere that promises forgetfulness or comfort. As we bemoan our situation we begin to remember better times when joy and peace seemed to fill our hearts. As we remember these happier moments we also begin to remember your love and your grace. God, you have done so much for us. You have blessed us beyond anything we could imagine. Help us to remember your blessings and love. Help us to see through the fog and to continue following where you lead. Help us to obey your will because as we do we will come to realize how little faith it takes to move the mountains of despair that have filled our lives. And as we step out in faith and follow your lead we establish a pathway that others can follow. Help us to create a heritage of faith so all the world can come to know your love. Thank you for your son, Jesus Christ, who you sent to make all things possible. It is through Him that we pray, Amen.

(Inspired by Luke 17:5-10)

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