Replacing what was stolen

Dawn

I have been heartbroken for many years because of the way my family treated me (brothers and parents) - not only because of my DF'ing but even before that. I come across as a pretty strong person to most everyone - but my closest friends and my husband know the truth because I can't really talk about it without starting to cry.

I had a revelation this week. My old family was stolen from me. But God has replaced them, he replaced them a long time ago and it took me a while to open my eyes and realize it. When I met my husband years ago his family welcomed me in with open arms - I lost a relationship with five individuals - but I gained 11 new family members - plus my husband, son, and daughter making my new family of 14 almost three times the size of my old one.

Pretty cool hu!

PS - and they won't shun me unless I do something to deserve it...like forgetting their birthday

Big Tex

That's fantastic Dawn! I think it also says something about you. You made a choice to seek out something better. You could have allowed yourself to become bitter and reject anything positive. You didn't and now you have a gift.

MrsQ

Dawn,

This post warms my heart. I feel the same way! My husband is the kindest, most loving, and respectful person I've ever met. He is shocked and disturbed by the way I am treated by my father--and he is disgusted with some of the things I tell him I experienced growing up a JW.

Isn't it ironic that the people who claim to love humanity so much don't even love their own families? How can you save the world when you can't even save a relationship with your children?

Q

pettygrudger

Dawn - I couldn't agree with those sentiments more! I too had to find my way around in this world without too much family support - and I have to say that those that I now am fortunate enough to have in my life are better to me than my real family ever could. You don't get to pick the family you're born into - but you do get to choose with what family you will spend your life. Favorite line of mine from the Young Guns movie: "You get yourself a few good pals - you got yourself a tribe".

nowisee

Dawn, i am so happy for you.

it is definitely true that friends and others often become closer than family.

count yourself blessed.

best wishes, nowisee

DJ

Hi Dawn,

I've had the same thought. My husband and kids are my family and my brothers and sisters are in Christ. My siblings are not even close to being friends in fact, they are my enemies! It made me understand the scripture about hating your mother and children and sister, etc..... I do hate what they do and what they teach and so.. in that way, I do hate them but Jesus taught to love even our enemies. I used to think that meant a warm fuzzy lovey feeling but I learned that it not what He meant at all. He just meant to treat them as we would want to be treated when we do see them. I do not go out of my way anymore trying to get love where there isn't any. I will help them if they need it. There is an emotional tie to our families and I guess it lasts forever but my family anyway...is detrimental to my physical and emotional and spiritual well-being. I used to feel burdened to have to get them out of the jw's. I admit that I still do feel responsible sometimes but I have offered the gospel to them and they just plain reject it as foolishness. I'm glad that you have a good husband and kids, I have a boy and a girl too. love, dj