The marriage of Rachel and Jacob was filled with many difficult and trying pro-blems. I have look at some of those painful times in past Marital Moments. This lesson will deal with the "Extended Family" that they had to deal with in their home. If there was ever a marriage that had unusual family members it was the marriage of Jacob and Rachel. For Jacob to introduce his children to others was an interesting situation. Yours, mine, and ours did not come close to telling the whole story about this soap opera marriage. Keeping up with which child belonged to which mother was a difficult chore. Today's family is confronted with more un-usual family members then ever before. Along with sister and brothers, cousins, aunts and uncles, Grandmother and Grandfathers, now there are step children, ex-husbands and ex-wives, unwed teenage mothers, multiple sets of grandparents, and blinded families. How do you deal with the vast, extended family situations that we have today? Allow me to offer some advice and hopefully some help to those who are confronted with this difficult, and sometimes painful, situation. (1) Live The Life That Is Before You. Many things in life you cannot change. This may not be your ideal situation but do the best you can. It may not be the life you dreamed about or one that you would have chosen but you can't run away and hide. Determine to make the best of it. Have a good positive mental attitude. (2) If Possible, Be At Peace With Others. Romans 12:18 states, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men". Not everyone wants or desires peace. Some people are determined to live their life in anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness. The things they say and do will disappointment you, and if possible, disturb your life as well. However, determine to dwell in peace if at all possible. Learn to overlook, forgive, and ignore whenever you can. Peace some-times can only be achieved with distance. You may have to move away from a painful situation. (3) Seek To Create Change In Their Lives. Try to mend broken relationships. Look for the positives in others instead of the negatives. Pray for God to change their hearts and situations as well as praying for God to change you. (4) View The Extended Family As A Ministry. You may be the only God they see and hear. You may be the instrument that God uses to change the heart and life of someone who is deeply troubled. Let them see Christ in you. (5) Build A Strong Relationship With God. Make certain that Bible reading is a constant and daily part of your life. Have a dedicated pray life. Remember, that prayer changes things. Be a faithful member of a good , Bible believing Church. Develop excellent Christian friends that can help encourage you and hold you ac-countable for your life. Listen to good wholesome music. Life will not always be easy but you can always trust God for your life and the life of all your family members.
