I recently read a statistic that counted 1/3 of American families as “blended” families. This means that there are step-parents, step-siblings or some bond other than biological involved. Though some of the best families are “blended”, it is apparent that this statistic stands true largely as a result of our society’s challenges in handling relational trouble.

The good news is-- God is the Creator of relationships, and he offers all the wisdom we need to develop healthy, meaningful connections with people.  

Part of this wisdom is found in Isaiah 43:18-19. It says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

God encourages us not to be intimidated by the negative in the midst of relational difficulty, but to focus on the new things He can create in the midst of it. He has blessed relationships in store for us, but we must exercise faith to receive them.

Josh Joines, our student pastor at Faith Family Church, tells a story of how he learned to keep an open heart. Josh was a teenager living at home, and his parents were having a talk with him about some things that needed to improve in his life.  Though he knew they were right, he responded to their reproof with the snide remarks and rolling of the eyes that are sometimes typical of teenagers. 

After the lecture, Josh ran into his room, slammed the door loudly and locked it, so that everyone in the house would know that he was upset. Well, it wasn’t long before the door knob started to jiggle, and the next thing he knew, his dad had unscrewed the door knob and was standing right in front of him! 

Without a word to Josh, he took his hammer out and popped off the door hinges. Then he put the door underneath his arm, and as he carried it out of the room, he simply said, “Josh, we’re a family, and we live with an open door around here.”

Whether his dad realized it or not, that simple statement played a major role in helping Josh to understand the importance of effectively handling relationship challenges in his life. It helped him understand that we all need people in our lives, and if we’re going to end family and friendship failure, we have to keep the door open to the new things God is beginning in us.

So, at the beginning of this new year, I urge you to let go of those things that are holding you back from receiving God’s best in your life. Open the door to the new, exciting things he has prepared for you. He has great things in store for you!