Found this old photo of our family.  That is me in my father’s arms.  It reminded of a post I did on the legacies we leave behind for our children. It was a reminder that in our marriages we need to:

Guard our hearts because that will determine what legacy we will leave for our children and their children.  “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” —Proverbs 4:23

My parents got divorced when I was twelve years old and they have left a legacy of step-brothers and step- sisters, a step-mother and two step-fathers.  A legacy of separation, brokenness and hurt, a legacy of divorce.

God says in Joel 2:25 “I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten.”  What an amazing promise.  God will restore the years of brokenness, the lost years. He will place us in a new family – the family of God.  Jesus stretched out His hand towards His disciples – us – and said ““Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:49,50)

We do not have to live with the legacy of divorce from our parents.  Our children do not have to live with our own legacy of divorce that we may have handed down to them BECAUSE God says:

“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  (Jeremiah 29:11-13)