Abandonment: Abandonment Defined
Monday, March 30, 2020
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"God has said, 'I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.' So we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?'"
Hebrews 13:5-6 NLT
Thoughts for Today
Abandonment is a form of family violence. This week we will look at some of the problems it can cause. We will also look at the healing and hope that are available to its victims.
Mothers and fathers are both capable of abandoning their children. Although more fathers leave, more and more mothers are abandoning their family. "Though there are no hard numbers, reports would seem to indicate that the number of moms who actually do run away-or at least walk away-is increasing. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of single fathers has been rising steadily, from more than 600,000 in 1982 to more than 2 million in 2011." (CNN Opinion: Peggy Drexler)
In Father Hunger, Robert McGee suggests three types of absent parent:
- The parent and child live in the same house and see each other every day, yet the parent is unable or unwilling to love the child and share time and intimacy with him or her.
- The parent is rarely around due to divorce, workaholism, or other distractions. It is impossible to form relationships with someone who is never around.
- The child does not know his or her parent because the parent left when the child was very young ... or the mother did not identify the missing father or know who he was to begin with.
Consider this …
Have you seen or experienced any of these situations in your life? Even as an adult, you may be suffering from the scars of childhood abandonment.
Though a parent may have abandoned you ... perhaps even both parents ... you are loved. You are valuable because you are loved by Jesus. And He promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you.
This week we will look at the healing and hope that only He can bring. He loves you unconditionally and wants to help you.
Prayer
Father, though it was long ago, I still feel the pain of rejection and guilt because my parent left me. I need your help. In Jesus' name ...
These thoughts were drawn from … Restoring Families: Overcoming Abusive Relationships through Christ by Janet M. Lerner, D.S.W. This study helps to minister to families caught in the cycle of abusive relationships. The curriculum deals with overcoming these abusive relationships through Christ and is recommended for use in support groups and Christian counseling.
- Ministers to families from abusive relationships
- Ministers to victims of family violence
- Deals with wounded emotions
- Deals with control and intimacy issues
- Presents a strong message of Christ as healer of abusive relationships
Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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