{"id":284,"date":"2012-12-23T01:01:01","date_gmt":"2012-12-23T01:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=284"},"modified":"2012-12-15T23:47:34","modified_gmt":"2012-12-15T23:47:34","slug":"advent-2012-is-your-family-broken","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2012\/12\/advent-2012-is-your-family-broken.html","title":{"rendered":"Advent 2012: Is Your Family Broken?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Advent Day 22: Is your family broken?<\/p>\n

Often, we hear about people coming from broken homes, where parents decide to live apart and children may be shuttled from one to the other. But, today’s question isn’t about broken homes, it is about broken families.<\/p>\n

Indeed, it is possible that, even if both parents reside under the same roof, a family might be in trouble, torn, and broken. Or, an extended family may be suffering from terrible rifts, sometimes over inconsequential things, and anger may be the predominant emotion even at this time of peace and joy.<\/p>\n

There is hope for families that are broken. We find it in God’s abiding presence and His ever-willingness to bring peace where we open our hearts to it. Help is also available through medical professionals, clergy, and trusted friends.\u00a0 Help, in its purest sense, begins with each of us as individuals, standing before God and recognizing our humanness and need for His grace and guidance.<\/p>\n

It can be quite a struggle to muscle past anger, resentment, frustration, and disappointment. However it is not impossible. With God all things are possible, especially at this time of year. If only we ask each day to be stronger, inside and out.<\/p>\n

At this time when we are almost at Christmas and have in our minds another, Holy family, let us pray that broken families everywhere may feel the comfort and healing of Christmas peace.<\/p>\n

Blessings for the day,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Advent Day 22: Is your family broken? Often, we hear about people coming from broken homes, where parents decide to live apart and children may be shuttled from one to the other. But, today’s question isn’t about broken homes, it is about broken families. 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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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