The Man in the Iron Cage — DJ

 

I want to take a moment to clarify some things about this situation in my family. I’ve heard the phrase “You don’t know the whole story” bandied about a lot lately from people outside of our family. This is what I do know:

1) My father has a drug addiction. For my entire teen life until present, I’ve struggled with this same problem. During that time, he was my biggest critic, and I respected his opinion over most other people’s because I looked up to my dad.

2) My dad is a hypocrite.

3) Growing up, he badgered us with the phrase “What are the two things I hate most?” and the answer was “Liars and Thieves”. Now, I find that my father is both.

4) I still respect the advice he gave me growing up, but no longer respect the adviser.

5) He told me one drop in a pool of water causes ripples through the whole body. He seems to have forgotten that, or no longer cares.

a) My mom lost her best friend and husband. She didn’t deserve that.

b) Rebekkah got closer to God and learned that sacrifices had to be made.

c) Caitlyn fell in love and because she was so far away, was spared most of the emotional trauma. Thank God. One more person in this broken mess would have been devastating.

d) I am grieving the loss of my entire family as I knew it. Collectively, we’ve all lost our home, our things, our stability, our peace, our security, and our dogs lost their yard. So, it was true — one drop of water rippled through the whole body.

e) We’ve lost friends, or they have been made to choose between us. This has been painful for everyone involved.

6) The Bible says, ” Every plant that my Heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up; Let them alone. They are the blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into a ditch.” Matt 15: 13-14    He’s proclaimed to be a Christian,  and I’ve now watched him openly denounce the Lord. And I can’t be any part of that.

7) I love my dad. I always have, no matter the circumstance; but, the Lord has shown me I must distance myself from him and any who are opposed to my Lord, and surround myself with like-minded people in Christ.

8) The Bible says, “No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You can not serve God and mammon.” Matt 6:24    We’ve chosen different masters.

So, here is the whole story in a nutshell: this is what happens when someone stops serving the Lord, and instead serves only himself.

— DJ