A MANDATORY VISIT
This evening at dinner the Lord allowed me to witness a scene that should be mandatory viewing for every spouse considering leaving home. Seated across the way from me were two women and two boys. One woman appeared to be in her sixties and the other in her thirties. The boys looked like brothers, about eleven or twelve-years old. While the boys ate, they kidded and joked with each other. The two ladies did not.
There was something obviously strained about their relationship. They finished eating before me and all four left together, going towards two cars parked side by side under a moss-covered Ocala, Florida tree. Mom opened up the trunk of her car and Grandma opened the back door of her older station wagon, and the great exchange began. Bicycles, suitcases, pillows, and loose items were transferred into Grandma's wagon. There was so much it took both women to fit everything in and close the door.
Every proponent of, "We'll all get over our divorce" should be made to watch the tearful and lingering hugs that Mom gave her boys, one at a time. Finally she spoke to the older woman, but no hugs, leading me to wonder if some absent dad had sent his elderly mom to do his dirty work of pulling two boys away from their home for the summer. Finally, one car entered I-75 to head one direction, and the boys' mother drove alone the opposite way.
I wished I could have talked to all four of those people individually. If my suspicions were right, it would not take a rocket scientist to discover something was very wrong with that picture. Those two boys needed to be on vacation with a dad and mom, eating dinner together and looking forward to horsing around in a motel pool at the end of a very hot day. Instead, they get to feel guilty for hurting their mom by having to go away. I wonder if those youngsters have even asked themselves if the divorce was their fault.
Men and women, wake up! Go home! Your kids and your spouses (and your mothers who do your dirty work by meeting a spouse that you feel too guilty to face) need you. Please do what God tells you to do today.
Our next generation needs to remember happy weekends and summers, not being pawns in their parents' game of divorce, all because one selfish parent wants to feel good.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10-11
A Note From Charlyne:
Bob’s heart after he returned home changed as God revealed to him how much divorce destroys every family member and especially our innocent children.
I know that there are many standing hurting moms and dads as they have to be alone on weekends, weeknights and then the children’s summer breaks as they share their children separately. I know the loneliness and pain that you are feeling without having your children home with you. I know that you have had to talk to and tell your children that they must go to their other parent’s house, often in a different city, because of your divorce papers and agreement. I have been in our home explaining this, but also in my sister-in-law’s home when my nephew child screamed, “I don’t want to go. Please don’t make me go!†Oh, how I hate divorce! Yes, I understand how concerned you are with what your children will be exposed to in their prodigal parent’s lifestyle. Never forget your Heavenly Father is with your children every moment and I believe warrior angels are right there protecting them.
Please always remember why you are praying and standing in the gap for your husband, wife or rebellious children who have been taken captive by the enemy. My prayer today is that you will always fight for the restoration of your marriage and family to be restored forever. God hates divorce as He created marriage. His plan was for us to be blessed to have children. Never give up on waiting for God’s best in restoring your marriage and making your home to be the Lighthouse in believing, “For nothing is impossible with God.†Luke 1:37
You are making a difference in your children’s lives, their marriages, your grandchildren’s lives and for future generations stating that marriage is forever! We can make a difference in our home, our city, our state and around the world if we will stand up for the sanctity of marriage! Every day join us and spread God’s truths to others!
Because He lives,
Bob Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
This evening at dinner the Lord allowed me to witness a scene that should be mandatory viewing for every spouse considering leaving home. Seated across the way from me were two women and two boys. One woman appeared to be in her sixties and the other in her thirties. The boys looked like brothers, about eleven or twelve-years old. While the boys ate, they kidded and joked with each other. The two ladies did not.
There was something obviously strained about their relationship. They finished eating before me and all four left together, going towards two cars parked side by side under a moss-covered Ocala, Florida tree. Mom opened up the trunk of her car and Grandma opened the back door of her older station wagon, and the great exchange began. Bicycles, suitcases, pillows, and loose items were transferred into Grandma's wagon. There was so much it took both women to fit everything in and close the door.
Every proponent of, "We'll all get over our divorce" should be made to watch the tearful and lingering hugs that Mom gave her boys, one at a time. Finally she spoke to the older woman, but no hugs, leading me to wonder if some absent dad had sent his elderly mom to do his dirty work of pulling two boys away from their home for the summer. Finally, one car entered I-75 to head one direction, and the boys' mother drove alone the opposite way.
I wished I could have talked to all four of those people individually. If my suspicions were right, it would not take a rocket scientist to discover something was very wrong with that picture. Those two boys needed to be on vacation with a dad and mom, eating dinner together and looking forward to horsing around in a motel pool at the end of a very hot day. Instead, they get to feel guilty for hurting their mom by having to go away. I wonder if those youngsters have even asked themselves if the divorce was their fault.
Men and women, wake up! Go home! Your kids and your spouses (and your mothers who do your dirty work by meeting a spouse that you feel too guilty to face) need you. Please do what God tells you to do today.
Our next generation needs to remember happy weekends and summers, not being pawns in their parents' game of divorce, all because one selfish parent wants to feel good.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10-11
A Note From Charlyne:
Bob’s heart after he returned home changed as God revealed to him how much divorce destroys every family member and especially our innocent children.
I know that there are many standing hurting moms and dads as they have to be alone on weekends, weeknights and then the children’s summer breaks as they share their children separately. I know the loneliness and pain that you are feeling without having your children home with you. I know that you have had to talk to and tell your children that they must go to their other parent’s house, often in a different city, because of your divorce papers and agreement. I have been in our home explaining this, but also in my sister-in-law’s home when my nephew child screamed, “I don’t want to go. Please don’t make me go!†Oh, how I hate divorce! Yes, I understand how concerned you are with what your children will be exposed to in their prodigal parent’s lifestyle. Never forget your Heavenly Father is with your children every moment and I believe warrior angels are right there protecting them.
Please always remember why you are praying and standing in the gap for your husband, wife or rebellious children who have been taken captive by the enemy. My prayer today is that you will always fight for the restoration of your marriage and family to be restored forever. God hates divorce as He created marriage. His plan was for us to be blessed to have children. Never give up on waiting for God’s best in restoring your marriage and making your home to be the Lighthouse in believing, “For nothing is impossible with God.†Luke 1:37
You are making a difference in your children’s lives, their marriages, your grandchildren’s lives and for future generations stating that marriage is forever! We can make a difference in our home, our city, our state and around the world if we will stand up for the sanctity of marriage! Every day join us and spread God’s truths to others!
Because He lives,
Bob Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
