Surly's Soap Box

I was at an hospital hanging up some new directory signs in a place that should have been brimming with hope and joy: The Maternity Ward. Well, they're called "Labor and Delivery" now, but you get the point.

Around the corner, I overheard an argument between a gal who was the sister of someone in delivery, and her mother. The daughter was railing into the mother for being drunk again, especially at a time when the the family needed her to be a mom. It came to a sad conclusion with someone getting slapped and the mother walking away saying, "Just pretend I'm dead."

I've been around plenty of practicing and recovering alcoholics to see the damage done by the disease of alcoholism. Some families are ripped apart, but too some families it's the sick glue that holds them together. Everyone knows their place and how to play their part, whether they like it or not. Until someone decides to make a change in their life, then it all falls apart.

But back to this family; these two sisters, a newborn, and who ever else is involved, now have yet another wedge between them, or perhaps a widened crevasse, as we enter into a season that should be marked by restoration, joy and goodwill, new birth and fresh beginnings. For those of us who are enjoying Christmas with relatively stable and loving families, please take time to pray for those who aren't as
fortunate.

Jesus, I pray that you would visit this family and pour out your awesome grace and mercy, that you have poured out so freely, upon them. I pray that as they hold the newborn in their arms, as they pour out their unconditional love on that little one, that you would pour out on them, and that they would come to know you Lord and your deep, unconditional, love. I pray that they would come under the conviction of their need for you, Jesus, and see that the only real hope they have to be restored to each other lays in being restored to you. Draw them Lord. Amen