Post by luke2231 on Dec 20, 2017 18:52:10 GMT
A friend who is a life coach and lay pastor at her church posted this on her Facebook wall yesterday and I thought I'd share it with you. It's good advice for the holidays and the rest of the year too.
I know we carry our estrangement as if we are the full target of our EC's hurt and anger. It definitely feels that way, and no doubt, it's painful to be left out of their lives, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that this is more about their inner turmoil than it is likely a punishment directed at us.
God doesn't see us as failures because our children don't speak to us. He doesn't see them as failures either. He sees us all as His children whom He loves above all else. He knows how much we need Him even when we think we can do it better on our own. Our kids don't know how much they need us either. But God understands all of it more than we will ever know, and He has plans for each of us. BIG plans! Plans to prosper us, even - especially - in our relationships!
So take comfort in that knowledge and focus on the more this Christmas instead of the less....
Sending prayers and the deepest of hopes for your Christmas to be joyful because of His love YOU!
(Hugs) & Have a Blessed Christmas and New Year,
Luke
PS. Sometimes I write the things I need to hear and then do.... 😊
"A relationship can only be as healthy as the unhealthy person in the relationship. (re-read that last sentence please)
Boy does this one trip us up at times!
We can find ourselves caught in the tension of wanting to love them well and being disappointed, frustrated and hurt by them.
This Christmas keep realistic expectations of those around you. Remember where you end and others begin, don't carry or own what is not yours. Don't let others rob you of your joy.
At times the best way to manage a difficult relationship is to ask God to help you to see them the way he sees them.
God sees past the brokenness, the petty, the selfish, the needy, the fussy, the demanding, the addiction, the disappointment and sees one of His own. May we know when to set boundaries, extend grace, listen, use our voices well, finally letting go and looking at them through our fathers eyes. Once we do, the loads we are carrying become lighter and we can find the pep in our steps again!
Lighten up and lead with love this season!"
I know we carry our estrangement as if we are the full target of our EC's hurt and anger. It definitely feels that way, and no doubt, it's painful to be left out of their lives, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that this is more about their inner turmoil than it is likely a punishment directed at us.
God doesn't see us as failures because our children don't speak to us. He doesn't see them as failures either. He sees us all as His children whom He loves above all else. He knows how much we need Him even when we think we can do it better on our own. Our kids don't know how much they need us either. But God understands all of it more than we will ever know, and He has plans for each of us. BIG plans! Plans to prosper us, even - especially - in our relationships!
So take comfort in that knowledge and focus on the more this Christmas instead of the less....
Sending prayers and the deepest of hopes for your Christmas to be joyful because of His love YOU!
(Hugs) & Have a Blessed Christmas and New Year,
Luke
PS. Sometimes I write the things I need to hear and then do.... 😊
"A relationship can only be as healthy as the unhealthy person in the relationship. (re-read that last sentence please)
Boy does this one trip us up at times!
We can find ourselves caught in the tension of wanting to love them well and being disappointed, frustrated and hurt by them.
This Christmas keep realistic expectations of those around you. Remember where you end and others begin, don't carry or own what is not yours. Don't let others rob you of your joy.
At times the best way to manage a difficult relationship is to ask God to help you to see them the way he sees them.
God sees past the brokenness, the petty, the selfish, the needy, the fussy, the demanding, the addiction, the disappointment and sees one of His own. May we know when to set boundaries, extend grace, listen, use our voices well, finally letting go and looking at them through our fathers eyes. Once we do, the loads we are carrying become lighter and we can find the pep in our steps again!
Lighten up and lead with love this season!"
