Improving Family Relationships through Communication and Forgiveness

Families Can Be Together Forever

I recently had a crucial conversation with my Mother. It started out with her just checking in on me to see how I was doing, her knowing I’d just received my second dose of vaccination for COVID 19, in my line of work.

After we’d finished discussing this topic, she asked me if there was anything else I wanted to say to her. At first, I hesitated inside, but in this case, my heart and spirit won out, and I carefully and bravely began to share some things I’ve had issues with family members for many years.

I went on to express and share openly, telling her how I felt. She listened, and when I was done, she spoke, and I listened. Together we were able to learn from each other, and see more of the picture of the puzzle to these painful and unsolved matters.

As we spoke truth in love one to another, as illuminated by honesty and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the very real and impassible barriers of emotional and mental turmoil were opened, and I could finally begin to choose my pathway home, of healed and repaired relationships.

My spiritually relatable thoughts on this are as follows:

Relationships are based on love, love is built on trust, and trust is built on communication. If we stop communicating, we stop trusting, and thus loving.

Being away from someone to get some space to learn and grow is fine. In fact, this is the best choice in many cases. However, in the Lord’s good timing, a window will be opened, and the Spirit will direct when it’s good, and how to reach out to make amends and forgive. Many times, people who’ve really been hurt, close off their hearts to protect themselves from getting hurt again. While this serves its purposes, there also comes a time when strength in vulnerability has a place.

Life is so precious. So are relationships and salvation. They go hand in hand. We need each other. Don’t let pride, fear, jealously, past fights, selfishness, arguments or anything else win the war over you and your family line, both past, present or future. Your division effects not only you and your individual disputes. They effect both before and beyond, and sadly, into the eternities, where it will be harder to resolve such tragedies. Trust me, you will want to be more proactive in your building of family ties, if you knew what you’d be losing, and the glories you could’ve gained and enjoyed.

Shane