Lagniappe
I think I’ve mentioned that we’ve lived in several states and I appreciate the local customs and culture we’ve been exposed to in each location. One of the words I added to my vocabulary from New Orleans is the word “Lagniappe”. Lagniappe means a little something extra. For example, the waitress grave me a real lagniappe with a large serving of potatoes. Today, I’m not sure where this message is going to go but I hope you find it a lagniappe.
We have a son, an only child, and I can truly say we have been blessed beyond any measure. My wife and I have been married for over 38 years and, to the best of my recollection, there was never a question about our commitment to each other. Part and parcel of that, our son grew up in a two-parent household seeing two people committed to each other. I’d be lying if I said we never fought and were always blissfully happy with each other, but I’d say the good times more than outweigh the bad.
Our son grew up without any major issues that we saw in other kids. That’s not to say that he didn’t get in trouble from time to time. My wife loves to recall that she got on a first name basis with the principal of his elementary school one year. That aside, he grew up to be a hardworking, intelligent man with a good job and a family of his own. To say I’m proud of him would be an understatement (but my wife and I pray for their salvation every day).
I know a young man that I’ve developed a mentoring relationship with. Last week, I found out his parents were having problems and today I found out the parents may be getting a divorce. I remember Patrick’s sermon about divorce a couple of weeks ago and I’m not familiar with the issue that is causing the rift. As such, I’m not going to comment on their marriage.
What I do want to talk about is the impact on the young man. I have to admit that neither my wife nor I grew up in a divorced family and since we haven’t divorced, I can only imagine the impact on their child. I imagine that some part of him will wonder (worry) if something he may have done may have contributed to their problem. It makes my heart break to think of the changes that he’ll be forced to make even under the best circumstances of an amicable divorce. Or worse yet, one or both of the parents may try to use him as leverage either as part of the divorce proceedings or in revenge for some perceived act.
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” - Proverbs 29:25 ESV
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” - John 10:10-18 ESV
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” - Matthew 6:34
“It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.” - Luke 17:2 ESV
Lord, please protect and keep safe all the little children.
