Americans are obsessed with independence. We want to do OUR OWN thing, no matter what. Period. Mic Drop.
It is impossible. As John Donne wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself.” What we do affects those around us. Your family is a life boat. We are in the boat together: paddling, steering, fishing, bailing water, or complaining. What each person does affects everyone.
Your life is tied to your family with bonds that cannot be broken. The choices made by each member of your family AFFECT YOU. Everything we do affects each other, even across generations.
“When Esau was 40 years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. They made life bitter for Isaac and Rebecca” Genesis 26:34-35.
Esau, a man of immaturity and bad judgment, married two pagans who became difficult daughters-in-law. When a son chooses a difficult wife, he can “make life bitter” for his parents.
But good choices also touch other generations. Isaac may have been hurt by his son, Esau, but he was blessed by God because of the obedience of his father, Abraham:
“All the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring, because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My mandate, My commands, My statutes, and My instructions” Genesis 26:4-5.
Our choices have consequences. WE will personally reap what we sow. But we will also reap what our family members sow: YOU will suffer the consequences of your brother’s or sister’s actions. YOU will also be blessed by the good they do. And your actions will touch them. When a young person decides to “sow their wild oats,” they can’t just say, “It’s my life.” What they do with their life touches everyone in their family, even generations not yet born.
When you make good choices or bad choices, everyone in the family reaps the consequences. We are NOT independent—no matter how badly we may hope to be as Americans.
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