Good Family Discussions

September 1 2022

I love having discussions with my children. My children include not only my biological offspring, but their spouses as well. I consider them all to be my children. Many times our discussions are via text and sometimes they take place over the phone or in person.

Our discussions are usually passionate as participants communicate their position and provide their reasons for feeling the way they do. I find it interesting to hear how they think and how they process information. We don’t always agree, but a majority opinion usually wins.

In a recent discussion, we debated whether it is right or wrong to allow a driver to merge into your lane as his runs out. One of the participants said a person spit on her car and called her the “B” word. I was shocked, but wondered why he selected her. When I asked questions about the incident, she shared his lane was running out and he wanted to merge, and she refused to let him over. I asked why and she said she didn’t want to on that particular day. She went on to say that she was within her right to do whatever she felt at the time. While I do agree it is at her discretion, I asked why didn’t she show him mercy?

I am not the kind of Pastor to always bring up the Bible when we have discussions, but there are times when I must let the Word be the final voice. This was one of those times. I shared with everyone that Colossians 3:12,13 tells us, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another.” I also mentioned that Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”

The Word guides us in every situation. It truly is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). If we measure our actions in light of the Word of God, we would be compelled to do things differently. Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but God ponders the heart (Proverbs 21:2). In other words God looks at our motives for what we do. God knows if we are being mean spirited or not.

I am not passing judgement on the actions of my child, but I do want her, the rest of my children and myself to make decisions in light of the Word of God. That requires each of us to delight ourselves in His Word and meditate therein day and night to observe to do according to all that is written therein.

Father, we thank you for your Word that settles every debate and gives us the wisdom we need to live godly lives. Amen.