She Sat Alone

She Sat Alone

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“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you,”

Ephesians 4:32, NIV.

Why do we struggle so much with our parent-child relationships?

I’d love to say, “I’ve never argued with my mom, or treated her disrespectfully, but I cannot. It’s true that today I value my mother more than I ever have done before. I miss her when we don’t see each other, and long for her laugh and her prayers. She is a treasure.

Why did it take adulting to realize it?

Why can’t we see it before our brains are fully developed?

I sat in the back of our church as a guest speaker shared his wisdom. He was encouraging, challenging and honest. Yet, I was distracted. For there in front of me a few rows away, sat a mom waiting for her daughter to join her. She never came.

I didn’t know why the daughter never showed up, all I know is this mom longed to have her daughter next to her. Not to control her, but to love her, to spend time with her, and to mend a tear that was present.

Earlier I saw this same mom hug another girl, about the age of her daughter and the exchange was sweet.

The girl shared, said she was thankful for her prayers, and moved on.

This woman knew how to connect with people. My mom knew how to connect with people, but why do we daughters not see what others see when we are young? Why do these parents-child relationships struggle?

Is it because parents act one way at home, then put on their church face for others to see? Maybe. Is it the child who is quick to judge and cannot honor or forgive? That was my problem.

Why are we kind and patient with others, but struggle with those who gave birth to us?

All I can say is if we see the struggle encourage the heart, give hope to both parties, and teach tenacity.

We are not perfect, no one is. But we have been called to live in unity with one another, forgive one another and to pray for those who persecute us.

I know my mom prayed for me. And it made a difference.

Maybe that’s the key—if we obey the teachings of Jesus these relationships might not be so disappointing.

If we love like Jesus, I can guarantee the world will notice. And not just the world—our families will notice. Our churches will know it can be done—and as iron sharpens iron, so one man will actually sharpen another.

So, for the woman who sat by herself waiting, I pray that you will not lose hope. That you will continue to wait and persevere, and pray. In a few years—you’ll reap if you do not lose hope.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up,” Galatians 6:9, NIV.

(Feel free to comment below)

Father,

You have told us how to live with each other—why don’t we obey? Why is it so difficult for us to love each other?

Help us seek You, and humbly ask for help when we need it.

Help us to know that we cannot change another person, that’s Your job. But we can obey Your commands, and teachings. We can be responsible for our part—

"make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” Ephesians 4:3, NIV.

But Father, we really do need Your help.

Help us to be quick to encourage, not quick to judge.

Help us to jump to the aid of another, not jump to a conclusion.

Help us to be mindful of doing right, even when the person standing in front of us is driving us crazy.

Help us remember—it won’t last, and forgiveness actually works.

Thank You Jesus for showing us it can be done. You had parents and siblings too—You know what it is like to grow up human.

Thank You for Your Word—help us to take heed to it. It makes a difference.

We desire to honor You. Help us to honor our parents.

Amen.