Purposeful Faith

Family Relief

Family Relief

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I love my family. I love them so much.

But, put us all in one room and you will see the definition of hectic.
With 6 children and a bunch of grandkids, there are bound to be problems.
Normally one person goes in the spotlight of scrutiny and if you happen to be that one – you need to run.

Each person, including me, comes with our own background, opinions and issues. 
We come with trials, with life concerns and, sometimes, with hurt feelings.
We come living out childhood roles we thought we left so long ago.

It’s amazing, time changes, but somehow childhood perceptions stay the same.

Some parts of family can be so hard.

In many families, it can be agony to find relief from:
– Pains of yesterday that still feel alive
– Judgments that fly
– Words that have hurt
– People who have abandoned
– Abuse that has occurred
– Walls that seem to separate
– Anger of yesterday
– Strong opinions
– Eager assumptions
– Life-haltering labels
– Deep rejection

These kinds of hurts go under the radar at holiday tables,
but they live written all over the hearts of those who sit around it.

God sees everything though.

He sees the foot stomping below the table,
the hands beautifully crossed above,
the child screaming next to it
and the sagging heart before it.

He always sees. No pain of the past is ever lost on God. No hurt of the future is either. 

“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled…” (2 Thess. 1:6-7)

What I walk away holding on to is that God does the payback. Not us. He also offers the relief, we don’t find it some other way.

He provides a path out from a table of hurts and a soft rescue for our heart.

His relief means we don’t have to go to war. We don’t have to fight with all our might. We don’t have to slam our fists on the table.  We simply find refuge in the One who is the ultimate refuge. The ultimate rescuer.

“This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.” (2 Thes. 1:8)

Jesus will come in glory, in majesty and in power and ultimately relieve us from everything. That day will come. He will return in magnificence.

Until then, we always have an outlet in Jesus.

We can reside at his feast – anytime. We can sit at a table of secure love, empowering joy and no judgment. We can take refuge in him. We can bring our hurts to the table and let him forgive us there. 

Then, arms will not cross, feet will not tap, words will not spew, but love of God will just go through and through.

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Today, I am happy to be joining Kate Montaung’s Five Minute Friday, Susan B. Mead and Suzie Eller’s #LiveFreeThursday linkups.


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purposefulfaith

Kelly, a fun-loving, active and spunky mom of two rambunctious toddlers, spends her days pushing swings, changing diapers and pursuing the Lord with all her heart. Called a "Cheerleader of Faith", Kelly's greatest desire is to help women live passionately, purposefully and unencumbered for the Lord.

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11 CommentsLeave a comment

  • You’re encouraging words are always welcomed. Thank you for this beautiful piece on family. It’s a comfort to know that God will see us through the pains of yesterday.

  • Kelly, beautiful words to cheer me on reminding me I have an outlet in Jesus! Thanks sweet sister for being such an amazing cheerleader of faith and leading us #raralinkup girls with all your love!

  • Such encouraging words! This post reminded me of a FMF post I wrote last month around the word “Gather.” God calls us to the holy table; to break bread together. At that table, God offers us forgiveness and reminds us that he is our relief. He is the one who overcame death and the grave. God calls us to gather at the table.

  • Thank you for the reminder that we are not alone. He understands our struggles, and He cares deeply. When He comes again, there will be justice and complete healing. It truly is a beautiful promise! “But until that day, we’ll hold onto [Him] always” ~ (Jeremey Camp)
    Blessings and hugs,
    Kamea

  • Too right, Kelly. And often hard to talk about. I love how you remind us that God knows all and that sitting at His table will always be drama-free. Just love. So heart-warming. Thank you!

  • Kelly, I love that God sees it all- Everyone around the table… the powerful ones and those who are invisible. And He provides a soft rescue for our heart. This is so beautiful and encouraging. Thank you

  • So thankful to be part of the #RaRaLinkup family and part of God’s family 🙂 Thank you for the reminder that, no matter what is going on in life, I always have a seat at the table with Jesus <3

  • Kelly, I want to come to the table with you – the one full of grace. Your words are woven in beauty and majesty – for our King. Thanks for joining the dance!!!

  • Life is certainly not without it’s struggles! There is always something. The second you think life is A-OK…… Something happens to screw it all up. It’s just a test – It’s a test to see how competent you are with life 😉

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