The War on Families

Image| theragblog.blogspot.com

Two years ago, I was a juror for a criminal case.

At the time of her arrest,  the defendant had a gun, drugs, and her 18 month-old son in the car at the time.

And I began to get a picture of the her  life from the character witnesses. Her family was unsupportive. Her boyfriend was unkind, and she was uneducated.

It made me sad, because as a juror I am sworn to look at the facts of the case in isolation. But as a christian, I couldn't help but feel sorry for this young girl that had been failed by so many.

They Were Both Doomed

And, I started thinking about what kind of life her son would have. The odds are that:

• He will live in poverty
• He will not complete high school
• He will have anger problems
• He will face a similar jury for committing similar crimes. 

And, I got angry because I realized this baby boy and his mother we both doomed.

So, in my zeal to do something I decided I would change careers and become a  parole officer. But, after weeks of phone calls, introductory e-mails, and research I never even got an informational interview.

So, I decided I would wage war with my keyboard.

The War On Families

Whether or not you realize it, there is a war on families. And, it is fought in many seemingly unrelated battles:

• fewer Christian women getting married
• the number of marriages that end in divorce 
• the proliferation of same-sex marriage laws
• the wrong images of marriage that abound (read: Jay-Z and Beyonce et.al. )
• continuous family feuds and unresolved conflicts

John 10:10 says that the Thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy. But, Jesus came that we might have life and it more abundantly. Abundant life includes our relationships, marriages and families. 

And, I am on a mission to see that restored. 

Why I Write this Blog
I write this blog because the world needs strong families. Strong families start with strong marriages. And, strong marriages start with strong relationships.

John C. Maxwell in his book, Make Today Count, says that the relational foundation of any family is a couple's marriage. It sets the tone for the household, and it is the model relationship that children learn from more than any other.

I also write this blog for my single friends that I love and adore. They want to be married. I want to share the lessons I am learning. I also want them to skip my mistakes.

Question: What battles do you see being fought against strong families?