A few weeks ago I talked about telling my sisters about Christ. I mentioned that they really didn't like to be around us because they feel like we are "judging" them and that I didn't know if they were really saved. I wrote them a heart felt letter and sent them a book by Mark Cahill called One heartbeat away.
Well, I got my answer. The youngest sister emailed wondering why she didn't get a package in the mail like the other sisters, it's in the mail somewhere. Anyway, I sent her the letter that I mailed and now I have made them all mad.
It seems as though when you feel God telling you to do something that involves family it turns out so badly. I used the Way of the Master approach , ten commandments and did it lovingly, or so I thought.
I mentioned that people create a god to suite themselves and their needs...boy, that went over like a lead balloon.
I got tickled that it didn't take long for them to start calling each other and compare notes.
I am and have always been the black sheep of the family. The sisters and mom just don't get it. I drew the line in the sand, either your for Jesus or your against Him.
Excerpt from letter that I received back:
We do all have different lives and different ways that we each connect to our Lord, whoever we believe that may be. I know it is your responsibility to try and recruit as many people as you can to follow Christ but at the same time we all know that there is nothing that you could say to any of us that we would not somehow take defensively because we feel as if we are being judged at all times when we are around you guys. None of us do bad things….some of us drink wine, some of us watch shows that have sexy scenes, we may read a dirty book from time to time but for us it is living life, with our Lord in it everyday as well. When you pass and come back to let me know that I am not on the list to get into heaven then I will have a problem with my life and do some things differently but I am very happy with myself, my family and my relationship with GOD…yes the one and only..we know who this is.
Guess God is into drinking, porn and smut??? When I pass and come back(?) to let her know that she's not on the list to get into heaven...it will be too late!
When did sharing Jesus and what He is about become judging??? When did worrying about your families salvation become something bad?
Am I not allowed to ask someone if they are saved? Will I see you in heaven? I don't want to have my family say "Why didn't you tell me??" and then it be too late. Most of all, you want your family with you in heaven.
So tonight when you say your prayers, remember Rhonda, Robin, Summer and even Phyllis.
I'm kind of thinking "duct tape" is now the answer!!!
5 comments:
Oh Dreama! I'm so sorry. I know from personal experience how hard it is to receive a response like that from family. All I can tell you is, don't give up. Don't apply the tape yet! God is still able to do a wondrous work through your willingness to continue reaching them. I will add them to my prayer list.
"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. ...a man's enemies will be those of his own household." Matthew 10:34 & 36
"But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." Matthew 13:57
I will pray that their eyes will be opened to the truth, and that your family will be restored to loving relationships in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Praying for you Dreama...love ya!
Dreama, even Jesus' family didn't want to receive His words. They responded to Him much the same way your sisters responded to you. Thus He says in His word, "A prophet is not without honor save in his own country." Those that know us best (family) often times heed our words the least. Take comfort in knowing that you've followed the Lord's command to share the gospel. In so doing, you've either planted the seed, cultivated, or watered. Who knows, you may one day get the opportunity to reap the harvest. In any case, the seed is there and will be cultivated/watered each time she/they hear the Word of the Lord.
Julie, Kenya and Dale:
Thank you so much for the encouraging words. I just keep praying that God will some way get the Glory out of this and my sisters will realize that I'm not a "freak", LOl!!! But boy are they mad right now...Thanks!!!
I can tell you this - I went through this when we first became Christians. I wanted to share it with those around me and was treated in much the same way as you were. It didn't go over with our keg party buddies that we all-of-the-sudden "didn't drink". Not that I think having a drink now and then is bad, but that is an entirely different doctrinal discussion.
I wrote a heart-felt letter to one of our family members that I was very close with and told her how I felt about it, backed up everything I said with scripture, and did much the same as you did. This person was having a lot of trouble in their life at the time (and is now divorced and has had a falling out with one of the children in the family). They responded in an even more hostile way than your sister did.
We even had a time period when my kids were little that my husband told one of his parents that he wouldn't go to their home if they were going to cuss and watch bad movies in front of the kids, and certainly wouldn't leave the kids for them to watch without us being there. We went for a few months without speaking... until they both broke down and cried about it. The parent chose to really TRY HARD to watch what they said (not perfection, but effort). So we relented.
In the time since all those first fractions and "getting out in the open", we have mellowed... but not in our love for the Lord or convictions. We are probably even more convicted now. I pray to the Lord for all of our family members. What was so strange was that one of Kevin's parents called me to ask for prayers not long ago. That was a miracle. I am here to tell you that fervent prayer and BEING THERE for others (loving them despite their imperfections) WORKS!!!
Make a list of things you can do to really reach out and connect with your family. God is in the details. Continue daily prayers for them. If you are seeking the Lord - He promises to give you the desires of your heart. If your heart is truly for your family, so will His be! No matter how long He takes to do it - you are both winning. They will one day be saved, and you will have learned how to spend your life in service to others by praying for them. Jesus ate with the sinners and loved them... "because he first loved us" ;)
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