What can you do?

I've just finished praying with a small family. Dad has colon cancer, Mom had left Dad - several times - but has just come back to him, and their young boy (about 3 years old) is in the middle of it all. Cancer caused Dad to lose his job and his home, so he sat in front of me sobbing. I listened, I prayed with them, I looked for a few band aid solutions, but none of it felt good to me. There was something in the story I was missing. There is a selfishness in the midst of their tragic situation that was the true root of their problem.

Why did Mom leave Dad and son, and why is she reluctant to stay with him in a hotel room? Dad was working for a "guy that cuts grass", and several years ago he worked at Labor Finders...why the struggle to hold down a job?

Next they sit down with one of our Case Managers, the Mom then leaves and sits in the car, Dad then leaves to speak to her...and then they drive away...and we are left scratching our heads! We offered a room for the night, and an interview that could get them into the local shelter tomorrow. I want them to talk with my Social Services Coordinator on Monday, and she can help them make a plan for their future...but they walked away from it.

Then, as I wonder where the logic is in all of this, I consider their little boy and wonder what on earth is happening to him. While Mom & Dad try to satisfy their own needs it seems to be at their sons expense. I am certainly not making light of the mans illness, nor an I judging the Mom for leaving, but I struggle to understand the lack of concern for their son.

Unfortunately we are seeing this more and more. The elevation of self. The idea that we must look out for number one is destroying the fabric of society, most notably the family, yet Jesus had a clear intention for us -that we live our lives for each other.

Mark 10:43b-45 "...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (NIV)

In life, especially in marriage, we must always remember this concept...we are not here to be served, but to serve.