Family

This morning was Fast and Testimony Meeting at church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). I was feeling the Spirit particularly strong so I got up and bore my testimony. I shared my testimony about the importance of staying together as a family and of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World". It is a very touchy subject to talk about because everyone has such unique circumstances. My testimony however, is just that, MINE. I realize that I can never please everyone so I said what the church teaches--families should work it out and do their best to stay together. That is HIS plan.
These days it seems almost "old-fashioned" , as my mom called it, to stay married and have a "traditional" family life. She was talking about my sister, Serri, and her social life. Unfortunately, it also seems to be the attitude of about half of the US as well. It all has made me think about WHY it is important to stay with one partner and be together to raise your children. I have heard many different ideas about the topic.
After I bore my testimony and sat back down, I began to feel prompted to expand on what I said. See, I mainly said how Heavenly Father wants us to stay together. I then realized how hurtful I might have been to divorced or single people or whomever did not fit into that mold. After others got up and bore their testimonies I got back up on the pulpit (I know, I know people don’t usually do that), but I had to. This time I mentioned my own broken family growing up. I told them about how difficult it was for my Mom to sit in church after her divorce, especially during the song, "Families Can Be Together Forever". I was specifically talking to the members who were vulnerable to my topic when I said we’re a ward family and all brothers and sisters. I said a little more and sat back down.
After church ended I was quite a surprising reaction from some members who caught up with me to thank me for getting up again. These members were mainly ones who had or are going through a divorce. One story in particular touched me. A young man approached me and said with tears in his eyes how grateful he was to me for getting up and sharing my testimony. He came alone and was 18-years-old. He said his family broke up and his mom, the only other active member, can not come to church because she is usually ill. His other step sibs. do not come to church anymore either. He said that I made him feel like he really did have a "ward family". WOW. Talk about a compliment. I was so touched to hear that what I said may have really helped him.
The church is true!