We all probably know someone who can “forecast” damp or rainy weather because they feel an ache in a bone that they broke in their past. Did you know people who have experienced a broken home feel a spiritual ache leading up to the holidays? Today I saw a Facebook post of a single mom who was putting her son on a plane for the holidays, You know she had to have felt the ache in her spirit days ago when she was washing the clothes to pack for her son. She felt the ache as she watched him wave goodbye and turn to board the plane without her. She felt the ache as she made her plans for Christmas Day. Alone.
And she’s not alone.
There are millions of men, women and kids just like her. Look around you. You won’t have to look far to find someone who’s “healed up broken bone ache” is flaring up right about now. Reach out to offer prayer, verbal support or better yet, companionship. It doesn’t matter how long ago the brokenness happened, their hurt is still there in times that were intended for families coming together, not moving apart.
If you are one of those broken family folks, hang in there. God is there. He wants to comfort you and will go through these next few days with you. He is ready to be Everything you need Him to be, if you will allow Him. Hey, He can even use what you’re going through to soften your heart to explore the possibility of restoration. That is His nature. Thank God for that.
Rev. Greg Griffin is a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor and Forgiveness Coach in private practice in Marietta, GA. His specialty is relationship repair and rescue- helping partners, spouses, and parents and their adolescents. He’s also the author of Dungeon Times Survival Guide, and Vital Faith.