My Frustration with Clothes Hangers

         

Have you ever had to fight with those metal or plastic clothes hangers? I have many times and it drives me crazy. Often, I get so frustrated that my husband comes to my (their) rescue and untangles them before I just throw them in the trash and start over. This happened to me this morning when I was hanging some laundry. I reached up to grab a hanger and the whole bunch fell into a tangled mess. The harder I tried to untangle them the more of a mess they became. What a nightmare I created!

Well, as I fought with the blasted hangers, a blog formed in my mind. Here it is…

These hangers reminded me a lot of people. Think about it. We are kind of like these hangers. We often allow ourselves to get into a tangled mess with each other. Something small is said that hurts us, or perhaps it is a big hurt, deep and real, and before long, we are at each other’s throats. Sometimes, we just withdraw our love or presence from each other. We call that the “cold shoulder treatment”. We stop going to family functions, miss church more often, stop calling and sending cards, or ignore one another as much as possible. Before we know it, there is a tall brick wall erected between us and those we care about. It often creates more pain than the original offense.

If we were honest with one another, we have probably all done this to one degree or another. It makes me so sad. It seems to allow Satan to have his way. It opens the door for more hurt and pain and often closes the door on God’s precious plan for our relationships. We have a theme at our church that says, “Together We Point to Christ.” I love this, it is so true. When we are united, whether in our blood family or our church family, we open the door for God to work so much more easily. His work will be accomplished regardless of our behavior, but think about what we are missing when we allow hurt or differences to divide us. People are watching and what they see is not pretty. Satan loves this I bet.

Why do we allow this to happen? It causes so much damage. It pushes people away. It hinders good things. When I fight with the tangled hangers, I often just want to give up and throw the twisted mess away, rather than practice the patience of gently and methodically untangling them. However,  in my relationships, I really want to invest the time, love, grace, and forgiveness that will mend the hurt places and preserve the relationship.

I realize this is not always easy and that it takes both party’s willingness to make it happen, but restoration is worth it. Thankfully, I do not have to rely on my own strength to do this. I have the Holy Spirit living in me to help me to restore broken relationships. If I ask Him, He will guide me in what to say and how to say it so that I and all of my huge warts do not get in the way. (yes, I admit…I am full of imperfections!)

God is so faithful to help us when we ask Him for help. Is there a tangled relationship in your life right now? Have you stopped going to church or to family events to avoid the pain of it? Are you letting your pride stand in the way of complete restoration? Please step aside and let God heal. Please take the time to make things right. Life is so short. No one knows how much time they have on this earth. Please invest in your marriage, or in the life of a hurting child, sibling or friend. It will be worth it. Not easy, but worth it.

"If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Romans 12:18

God bless and thanks for reading!