Blending A Family 40 day DevotionalSample

Interference from Extended Family

Genesis 2:24 mentions a potentially negative influence in a marriage; parents and extended family. We believe God is warning us about the negative effect extended families can have in marriage relationships. We know of marriages that have failed due to parents, siblings, friends, children, adult children, or other interferences. Genesis 2:24 shows us that relationships in marriage and family must be thicker than your biological (blood) family.

It is difficult for a husband and wife to become one if other people are allowed to create disunity. The more opinions we allow in our relationship will make decision making and unity more difficult. Biological family is important and we are to love and honor them, but our relationship with our spouse is of more importance than all other relationships in our life.

Honor vs. Obey

Honor is defined as “esteem paid to worth, dignity.” We honor our parents every time we visit them, send a card, call to check on them, and help them with home repairs and other matters.

Obey is defined as “to comply with the commands of.” The best baseball and football players are honored when they are inducted into their halls of fame. We can honor someone without letting them control our lives. 

As we marry, we are to continue to honor extended parents and family. Yet, the highest place of honor must go to our spouse. Our goal is that our extended family would love, embrace and be a part of our new family, and that our new family would love, embrace and accept them also. We are to walk in love toward everyone, even those bringing any division in our life. One Mother’s Day we sent flowers to extended families expressing love and honor to them.

Suggestions:

What can you do to reach out to a difficult extended family member? 

• Invite them to dinner so they can get to know your new family. 
• Offer to baby-sit their children one night.
• Be there for extended family during a time of need.
• Ask God for a creative idea to honor extended family

Our Prayer for you:

Father, thank You for Your Wisdom that brings us an abundant new marriage and family. Help us to discern the things or people which are hindering our growth, and Your ways to resolve these hindrances. Thank You for Your loving guidance in our lives.

Copyright 2019 Moe and Paige Becnel @ Blending A Family Ministry