First Love

I need to post about a lot of things. Vacation. Unemployment. New business start up. Our church. Friends.
But, really, there's one situation that keeps coming to mind. We have a family in our family (does that make sense?) that is going through a very rough time. So rough that I can not imagine all the issues and the issues those cause. What I do know is that lots of people are hurting deeply and I believe no one will come out the winner. Everyone will lose. At least something.
What do you do when your marriage has every appearance of being over? What about when your spouse refuses to reconcile...or attempt to reconcile? What happens when your parents, who raised you to honor God in every decision, come to this place in their lives?
The only answer I can come up to is: return to your first Love. Seek Him with all you have...and earnestly...and honestly. Not trying to persuade God to bless your direction or to justify your actions as acceptable to him. But, in a way that leaves you open and vulnerable to hear directly from his mouth. Through seeking Him, He will reveal his good and perfect plan. He will show us where we are wrong and will show us mercy and grace.
There are things we know we ought not to do...and just because we're in a tough situation or because we feel wronged, we don't get a green pass to do as we please. We don't. "Live as free men (and women), but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God." 1 Peter 2:16
Again, when we find ourselves with our back to the wall, or at the bottom of a mud pit, or at wits end...return to your first Love. And hopefully, in time, your other first love will also be restored.
God is long suffering. Jesus wept. He empathizes with our sorrow. With betrayal. With loneliness. Oh, but his mercies are so sweet. It's sad that we always want His mercy...but we're not willing to give it to others.
Lastly, love covers a multitude of wrongs.
I am earnestly praying for the family in our family. And for our family in general. Because, we're not islands...our decisions affect more than just ourselves. They affect everyone.
Return to your first Love. Return quickly.