Divorce is one of those “D” words that affect families just as do drinking, drugs, disorders, and depression. Here in the US A divorce is no longer taboo but seems to be in vogue.
Many families are impacted both personally and socially at school, work, church and in the neighborhood. Biblically there are limited grounds for such a serious decision, yet our focus is on the damaging impact.
Here at Camp it is common that our summer staff have come from a broken / divorced home. Over the last 24 years that I have been at camp, not one staff member (that has experienced divorce) has said that it didn’t impact them or their siblings. They remember the day, moment and place when their parents announced the new family dynamics.
Yes, many have had parents that have worked hard at being amiable, but more staff convey that they experienced power struggles, buying favoritism, unwanted new roles, a feeling of loss, devastation and have had trouble with trust issues.
Teens and preteens already have enough coping issues as they develop physically, mentally, socially and yes spiritually. The compounding pressures of divorce can be one heavy load to bear.
So what … what do we say and do…how do we act when a family is dealing with divorce? First, let’s be honest with the damaging effects of divorce. It’s helpful for others to listen and try to understand and then be ready to sit in on the grief of disappointment and loss. Allow room for emotions to be expressed. Remember, timely acts of support can be of great assistance as well as friends “just being there.”
God does hate divorce (Malachi 2:16) as much as any sin, but emphatically loves sinners. He is for the family – it was His idea. Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you” is true … even when we feel distant from Him.
Comments
Post new comment