Exposed: Broken Families
What is a broken family in your eyes? Is it a family that has experienced divorce? Is it a family that experiences constant anger and pain? Is it a family that has the “perfect” image but truly is cracked at the foundation? What defines a broken family?
A broken family…no matter what kind…does not define you or your future…
There isn’t anyone that has not been affected by broken relationships, it is my prayer that you find your true identity in God, that you’re not born out of pain and hurt but, renewed by God and his awesome freedom.
Do you know who you are? Are you filling the void in your heart with bad relationships? Nothing will make you feel whole like God’s true love. Seek Him and find Him in any way you can. Turn to those you trust and can be open…real…with…
The challenge? Express your thoughts. Carlos opened his heart tonight and was as real as could be…can you do the same? Through being real and raw with those around you, you are creating an opportunity for healing AND ministry to others that are going through the very same issues you are going through….
What is your REAL story?
Exposed: Broken Homes Video
Chloe Kidd’s Testimony
January 29, 2010 at 3:28 pm
It’s true, that the sins of the father are passed down to the 2nd and 3rd generations. My grandparents on my father’s side had a very rocky relationship, my grandfather had a serious problem with alcohol as well as other issues. I love and respect my grandparents for staying together, but nevertheless, it still caused a lot of heartache and pain for my father and my uncle. My dad had a hard time in his youth, probably heavily related to his parents’ relationship, and that baggage carried over into his marriage as well.
I love and respect my parents, not only because they are loving and have my best interest in mind, but because they actively pursue God in their relationship, especially recently. They have been married for almost 22 years with no other prior marriages. Now I will not say anything negative about my parents because I know how blessed I am to have them in my life, but I want you to understand that just because a relationship doesn’t end up in divorce, doesn’t mean it can’t be broken at times. For those of you who have parents that are still married, you know what I am talking about.
I believe that parents aren’t aware of exactly how in tune their children are with their relationship, and how easily we pick-up on disagreements or fights they have, especially the really bad fights. I have spent many nights and days crying in my room over my parents fights, praying to God that they would stay together. It it is very real to us when we see our parents in a really bad fight, or lots of little ones. I have been shaken to the core by one of my parents fights that I was almost sure that they were going to separate over.
Now I know that these feelings of brokeness can’t hold a candle to the devastation and ruin that the hurricane of divorce leaves behind, but for the 50% of you who’s parents are still together, I want you to know that I understand the nights of sleep that you’ve lost over your parents marriage, the tears you’ve cried and he heartache you’ve felt. I guess that is why I have been so cautious about my own relationships.
Cara
January 24, 2010 at 2:20 pm
It breaks my heart to hear some of the pain that has deeply wounded all of you. I don’t think there is nobody who has not gone though something bad in their life. God never intended us to endure hardship but because man was given a choice since the beginning of time we have all had to face the affects of sin and a generation of bad choices; which unfortunately gets handed down to us. It is my belief that God is a powerful healer in which can be instant but because of our individuality and our ability to understand, it usually takes a process of steps. I will not believe that God is ever responsible for bad things but I do believe that God gives us the choice to overcome any situation. YOUR PAIN IS THE PATHWAY FOR GODS HEALING MEDICINE, AND IT WILL BRING HEALING TO MANY BROKEN HEARTS. We have a choice for the pain and hurt to distort our identity and affect every decision or we have the choice to allow God to lead us down a path that we never thought was possible.
To every person that reads this…listen…
I pray God will continue to heal and touch your lives and the lives of others, God went to the cross for our pain and has delivered us from any oppression, bondage, pain and sickness that you may have to endure. The holy spirit is wrapping is arms of love and comfort around you and says it’s alright, you’re safe now. Be healed, be delivered! You’re on a road that has many blessing and much love, you’re the head and not the tail, God has made you more than a conqueror. It is my prayer today that who ever reads this blog now and in the future will be moved to healing, moved to share their story for the sake of others. I thank you for everything you’ve done and will do. Amen
January 23, 2010 at 9:27 pm
…and a bit from my story:
My parents separated when I was 1. They were never married. My father wasn’t ready to be a parent yet, and I don’t think my mom was either – though she had no choice in the matter.
My life was filled with ins and outs of random (mom’s) boyfriends, and I never grew close to any of them. Eventually, my mom married when I was 8 and I soon had a younger brother. 3 years later, my mom was divorced, with another man, and I now had a second brother on the way.
My second step dad is one who helped lead me to Christ…and thankfully so, because it was my devotion to Jesus that helped keep the family together when he and my mother separated when I was in High School.
My mom and 3 boys all from different dads. That was my home.
My love for Jesus kept my hope alive, but my mother found her “joy” in addiction with a loss of hope.
My father did actually come back into my life at the end of 8th grade. We began talking and visiting over the next few years. I forgave him and focused on the new growing relationship…and he became one of my strongest spiritual supports through my college years…showing me just how AMAZING God Is!!! My Pops and I now have a GREAT relationship – only through hope, forgiveness, and grace – that Christ taught us, that we sought,and that God so graciously offered.
God is a Redeemer. He WILL redeem ANY situation. He WILL pick up the broken pieces and create something new. Renewed in Him.
My Mom and Brother’s have ALL accepted Christ as well over the years…and I know He’s there to offer each one of them the support they need, and to heal the brokenness…as soon as we Invite Him into our lives and allow the process.
January 22, 2010 at 12:55 am
Some of you have heard my story, but just in case…
My family became broken because of sin (another story for perhaps another blog). The sin led to stress, which led to the death of my mother (stoke) when I was 10. My Dad drank his problems away, and remarried 3 times before I turned 16. My Dad got sober approx. 2 years before he, my sister and nephew (3 & 1/2 yrs old) were killed in a head on collision while on the way to make funeral arrangements for my mentor/brother in law who died that same day of cancer.
From the time I was 9 until I was 24, all I knew was a “broken” home. I was bitter, angry, hurt, rebellious, mad…
I knew of God, my Dad was a pastor before my Mother died; but it is safe to say that I did not know His grace, forgiveness, nor His amazing power to heal brokenness until my heart was opened to Him nearly 5 years after the wreck.
For me, the biggest question to answer was why did God allow all of the bad stuff to happen, when I did nothing to cause any of it! I was only 9 when it all started. Why did He apparently hate me so much that I would have to go through the crap that I went through? It just wasn’t fair.
God loves me (and you) so much; sometimes there are questions that we may never have answered completely. He wants us to rely fully on Him and to realize that real joy and the good life can only be found in relationship with Him. When it feels as though there is no one else who understands, He does! When it feels as though no one else is there for you, He is! The void that we feel in brokenness can only be filled by Him.
Yes, Jesus loves you, this I know…
January 21, 2010 at 6:27 am
This is my story…
My family became “broken” after losing my father to a battle with cancer. He died at age 34, I was only 12. I never knew that brokenness and loss could produce so much pain, and I was helpless to do anything about it.
However, through all of it, I realized that brokenness also opened my heart up to God and other’s pain. I also learned that I began to grow in greater compassion for those around me who were hurting.
Oddly enough, the more I grew in compassion and love for others, the more aware I became of God’s presence in my life, and the more my own broken heart experienced amazing healing.
I didn’t fully understand it then like I do now, but my brokenness, created an openness, that led to me discovering a HOPE in this!
THE LAST WORD: everyone who finds themselves in any kind of brokenness [a family; your heart; a meaningful relationship; the death of someone you love; or a health issue that you just seem absolutely helpless to do anything about], ALWAYS stay open to God and hold out for hope.
It will certainly come…God has not had the last word concerning you!