Blast from the past…I wrote this back in 2013 in The Beginning of my trauma. I just thought I would re-post it after a bit of editing and updating.
Divorce affects everyone; even if you don’t want to believe it, it does.
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Written in 2013…but now adapted
In church last week, the pastor spoke of the ripple effect of divorce. It touches everyone involved, not just the grieving partner. Sadly it impacts my daughters, my son-in-law, my grandchildren, and all the other people who believed we had a marriage based on faith and trust. Trust will now be an issue.
Unfortunately, it touches my grandchildren. What kind of legacy does this leave for them except the legacy that if you don’t like something, it is ok to quit, and it does not matter who you hurt? It reinforces that any promises made to God or others can be tossed aside as meaningless. This example reinforces that life is all about self and not about others. That is not what God teaches us, and I hope they will be able to see God’s love and teachings over the weaknesses of people.
Some may tell you if your children are grown, it does not affect them. Not true!!!! I agree with the Pastor; it affects everyone…The Ripple Effect. I was watching a TV show called 72 Hours. It is a reality show, a competition where several teams race to win $100,000 in rough conditions. There was one young woman that I was hoping would go home with the cash. Her goal was to win the money for her Mom, who was going through a divorce. They showed the Mom on video discussing her divorce; you could feel the intensity of her distress. The young woman was in pain also because of the trouble that burdened her Mom. If this had not happened to her Mom, the daughter would have had a different mindset. She could have had a happier life and not had to worry about her Mom that, more than likely, had this pain selfishly thrust upon her.
In my case, I should be thinking about trips with the family, enjoying our lives together, and enjoying the gifts God has given us, but now I must waste money on lawyers and try to figure out how I will survive both financially and emotionally. It was probably, like in my case, not her Mom’s choice. Divorce….. it affects everyone!
(I am happy to say, “She won!”:-) I am sorry she had to go through the pain of divorce in her family, but I am happy she can help her Mom. Way to go!
When I think of the unnecessary pain that some people place upon others and the possible detrimental effects of this pain, which could lead them down a negative path, I think of this verse.
“If anyone causes one of these little ones, those who believe in me, to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble. Such things must come but woe to the person through whom they come” Matthew 18:6-7
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That was the end of the post I wrote back in 2013. I now have 4 grandkids, and I pray they follow God’s lead in their lives and that they are not hindered by the choices that people make that may confuse them.
Current photo of me and my grandkids as of May 2023
They all hold my heart. I love them!
God Bless You on Your Journey
Kathieyv
Yes, divorce has far-reaching ripples. Very sad.