I may have blogged similar thoughts before, but I can't help myself. I'm afraid our society is failing.
My coworkers and I were at lunch today and I couldn't help but notice the family sitting across the way. The dynamic at the table was heart breaking. With exception of the fussy infant, they sat at the table in complete silence without so much as a hint of eye contact between them. Granted, I don't know the story, but I all to frequently see the trend. Why are our families failing?
The Old Testament closes with a promise, followed by a warning:
"Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse."
Malachi 4:5-6
Families were divinely created to be whole units where love and safety abounded, but the reality is American families appear to be crumbling. The good news is we have the power to choose. The question isn't about the war raging against us; the question is, "will we fight?".
Once we determine our answer, we can begin to develop our fight. Confucius is quoted saying, "To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right." I agree with this theology.
Our families won't be a lost cause if we make a commitment to change ourselves. I believe in restoration. I believe broken hearts can be mended and I believe we can know love again in America. We just have to want it. After all, love works.
