【双语灵修】玛琳和德怀特MARLENE AND DWIGHT

提摩太后书 1:3-5

我感谢神，就是我接续祖先用清洁的良心所侍奉的神，祈祷的时候不住地想念你，记念你的眼泪，昼夜切切地想要见你，好叫我满心快乐。想到你心里无伪之信，这信是先在你外祖母罗以和你母亲友尼基心里的，我深信也在你的心里。

6月4日

玛琳和德怀特

“想到你心里无伪之信，这信是先在你外祖母罗以和你母亲友尼基心里的，我深信也在你的心里。” -提后 1:5

玛琳的女儿流落街头数十年，玛琳和丈夫德怀特抚养着她的外孙们。更复杂却也美好的是，其实这些外孙们与德怀特并无血缘关系。德怀特和玛琳两人是在晚年相遇，他却将孩子们视如己出，接送他们上下学，甚至为最大的外孙买了二手车，并修理妥当，好让他可以开车上学。

我从未听德怀特抱怨過，或反白眼，也没有以愤怒的眼神向玛琳暗示：“这就是你的外孙”，而且他们尽一切所能都是为了这个家庭。玛琳为每个孩子争取机会进入不同学校和参加课程，助他们走向成功。

玛琳和德怀特由祖父母的身份转变为父母，因为这是境遇的呼召。虽非在计划之中，但他们却塑造了一个彼此成为对方礼物的家庭。

神将谁带入你的生命，并因为境遇的关系，而要求你以新的身份存在呢？你又在何处被呼召成为监护人、兄弟、姐妹或朋友呢？愿神祝福这些关系！

祷告

主啊，感谢你赐下好些满有爱心的祖父母与监护家庭，让他们指引和关怀那些被照顾者。愿你赐福他们，因他们彰显你的恩典与怜悯。阿们。

2 Timothy 1:3-5

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4

MARLENE AND DWIGHT

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” — 2 Timothy 1:5

Marlene’s daughter has bounced around the streets for decades. Marlene and her husband, Dwight, have custody of her daughter’s children. To make matters more complicated and beautiful, these grandchildren are not Dwight’s biological grandchildren. Dwight and Marlene found each other later in life. Dwight has cared for these grandchildren as his own. He chauffeurs them around. He also bought a car and fixed it so that the oldest grandson has a vehicle to drive during his college years.

I have never heard Dwight complain, roll his eyes, or shoot an exasperated look to suggest to Marlene, “These are your grandkids.” And as a family they are thriving. Marlene has been an advocate for getting each child into various schools and programs so that they can succeed.

Marlene and Dwight have transitioned from the role of grandparents to parents because that’s what circumstances have called for. It wasn’t their plan, but they have formed a family that is a gift to each other.

Whom has God brought into your life because circumstances have required a different way of being? Where have you been called to be a surrogate parent, brother, sister, child, or friend? May God bless those relationships!

Lord, thank you for grandparents and surrogate families who step in with love, guidance, and care. Bless them as they reflect your grace and compassion. Amen.