Our conversation takes a deeper, more introspective turn as we traverse the rugged terrain of familial trauma and the search for genuine love. Memories of my father's conflicting teaching about love set against the backdrop of his treatment of my mother prompt a poignant exploration of what love truly means within a family. Turning to the solace found in Psalm 27:10, I discuss how divine love provides a sanctuary for those who feel forsaken by their earthly parents. Together, we explore how faith can not only mend but also transform our understanding and experience of love, offering peace to those facing similar trials in their own family dynamics.
Hey friends, ms Joss is here and welcome to Scripture. Time to Feed your Soul. Hey there. In the last episode of my Story, part 5, I shared with you how an 8th grade classmate shared the gospel message with me and then she gave me a brand new paperback Bible, the Living Bible. Unbeknown to me at that time, god was trying to get my attention through an eighth grade classmate and I also shared with you how a certain part of this new Bible sparked my interest. But my interest in the Bible didn't last. Back then my interests and desires were more worldly, and desires were more worldly. Naturally I wanted to have fun with my friends or go shopping or learn more about the boys that I liked, that liked me.
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During my earlier years and through my teens I had a great relationship with my mother, and from time to time she would remind me of the commitment I made to Christ at 12 years old. Of course I was thankful to God for having spared my life at eight years old from a fatal car accident. I guess I saw him more as a guardian angel. Little did I know. He is way more than that. As far as other relationships go, my relationship with my dad didn't feel secure, but sometimes he would come around and take my sister and me to a carnival, an amusement park or the racetrack. He also attended my graduations at school. My conversations with him were usually limited to whatever activity we were engaged in at the time, and so we did not talk about personal issues or feelings or problems as I did with my mother. My divorced parents would be cordial toward each other, at least in front of my sister and myself, but I knew there was resentment on both sides. There was resentment on both sides, even though my mom spoke negatively about my dad no-transcript but she would also recount the troublesome times of their marriage. I had empathy for what she went through, and over time I believe that seeds of unforgiveness and bitterness were sown into my heart toward my father.
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In the Bible, scripture warns us against a root of bitterness. In the book of Hebrews, chapter 12, verse 15, it reads look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root grows up to trouble you or corrupt you. And so this very thing had begun to happen to me. I will pause my story right here for now, but before we go I would like to encourage the believers in Christ, and I would like to encourage those who are not believers in Christ. To all the believers in Christ cultivate your relationship with Jesus, maintain your relationship with Jesus, never give it up.
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I'm sure that you know that you are a spiritual being. I'm sure that you know that you are a spiritual being, and so I would like to leave you with a scripture from the book of Romans, chapter 8, verse 9. It reads but you are not controlled or ruled by your sinful self. You are ruled by the Spirit of the living God. If the Spirit of God lives in you, so read the entire chapter of Romans 8 and let the Holy Spirit speak to you. Now, for those of you who do not believe in Jesus, I certainly hope that you would like to. It's your choice, and if you want to right now, just say Jesus, come into my life, or Jesus help me, or Jesus make yourself known to me, and he will do that. In fact, scripture tells us in the book of Romans, chapter 10, verse 9, that if we confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we shall be saved. We will be saved, and when God saves you, he also grants you eternal life, and not only will you have life with him in heaven, but you will have life with him on earth, right now, in real time, and once you become a believer, the Bible says that you should grow in the grace and knowledge of your Lord and Savior, jesus Christ. So if you would like more information about your new faith and about Jesus and how you fit into his plan, check out Internet Resources in my show notes, and, for those of you who are still undecided about Jesus, I would encourage you to check out the internet resources in my show notes as well.
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Before we close, I need to finish up part six of my story. So, as I had stated earlier, the seed of bitterness that God warns us against in the Bible the seed had already started to take root in my soul bitterness toward my dad. As a child, I really didn't know God, but I knew God existed, and so I would pray consistently the same prayer that my mother would not die before I could grow up and make it on my own. I prayed this prayer many times because the man who I called Daddy was scarcely present in my life and I did not feel that he was reliable and I did not see him as a protector or a provider. I would later discover that God was all those things and more.
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I also recall several occasions when my daddy would ask my sister and I if we loved him, and he would teach us to say I love you from the bottom of my heart. From the bottom of my heart. And so it became easy for me to pair it, the desired response, without any feeling or meaning. It was just something nice to say. But I did question his love for me. How could he love me but not love my mother? And even though he had not physically abused me in any way, he still mistreated my mother, whom I loved dearly and whom was once his beloved wife.
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This was all very so, very hurtful. This was all very so, very hurtful. At the time I did not know and I did not realize it, but Jesus was there to mend the pieces of a broken heart. In the Bible there's a scripture that says although my father and my mother have abandoned me, yet the Lord will take me up and adopt me as his child. That's found in the book of Psalm, chapter 27, verse 10. Peace and love to you, you, my friends and I'll talk to you soon.