We’re The Parents Now!

My Father made his transition on yesterday into eternity. As the scripture says about Job:
Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life. Job 42:17 (NLT)
My Dad was ninety years old, he saw his children’s children. While at work, not knowing that he was leaving, I was filled with such love for my Father, I thought of how much he had tried to be a good Father to me and my siblings – I couldn’t wait to get off work to tell him – when I got off – he had already made his transition. It’s so important to tell our family that we love them, often and much! Later, when talking to one of my sisters, she made the statement, “we’re the parents now!” Our Mother has gone on, our Father has gone on – it is now on us, to be the family – and I decree a strong and healthy family!

We’re still talking about relationships. When I was only about three, my parents divorced. My Father’s parents divorced when he was of a young age. Divorce ran rampant in my family tree. Relationships were not built on trust, fidelity, and commitment – there were many instances when marriage occurred because of mutual attraction – without a lot of thought given as to what that meant in a long-term relationship – especially marriage!

I’ve written of this before – my dream from a young child was to have a home with flowers around it, and windows that brought in the sunlight! Inside would be a family – a family that loved each other and was committed to each other. As this was not always my experience, this dream could have only come from God himself. And God being the faithful God that He is, brought me into such a family when I married. Even more than that, He brought me to Himself, and unfolded His Word unto me and I could see for myself what the master design for families was supposed to look like!

Even with all of my efforts, even with all of my prayers – divorce reared it’s destructive head again in my life in my own marriage. It was then that I made a vow that for every heartache, every pain, that I was going to do even more damage to the devil’s kingdom – for I declared war on divorce! It is this commitment to marriage that was passed down to my children, that led my oldest daughter Neesha and her husband Wesley (who was also a product of divorce, yet filled with a passion to fight for marriage) to begin a marriage ministry which is this year celebrating its’ eighth year of bringing couples together for a week-end retreat to participate in workshops and other marriage strengthening activities.

This week-end, October 16-18, the 2009 Couples Getaway will take place. The theme is “The Power of One!” There is still opportunity to participate – for more information contact mail4neesha@yahoo.com.

God Bless You,
Maria