Stick Together with Luke Smallbone

The inspiration of compassion and empathy behind the song, Relate

Luke shares what it was like for his family immigrating into America from Australia. They were poor and had to rake and mow lawns in order to eat. It was the struggle, he says, that brought them together.

While growing up, even when he was not getting along with his brother, Joel, they still sought each other out for advice. When Luke was newly married, he worked for his brother, Ben, who was shooting videos. Ben knew he could count on Luke’s work ethic, though he knew nothing about the job.

These things made them a close-knit family as they maneuvered through a new and uncertain place.

Family is safe, the first ones you turn to.

Luke began his own family. When he was first married, being a guy, he felt as though he had to “fix” any crisis that came up. He prayed for his wife, seeking answers. God made it clear it wasn’t for him to fix. God is at work.

Luke and his wife pray for each other and trust God with issues that come up. They trust that God is busy behind the scenes, and they don’t have to straighten each other out.

“God is in the continual business of refining,” Luke explains.

· Give Him space to work, instead of trying to figure out what to say or what book they should read.

· Let God do the work.

· Give Him time.

· Remain steadfast in the relationship, “Stick in it,” as Luke says, and go on this journey together.

In your humanness, there is hope to respond better tomorrow. When there are issues that need to be addressed, the things that come to mind in the heat of the moment should not usually be said. Don’t allow yourself to be dragged into the battle. Sometimes when a spouse wants to fight. It’s best to be quiet.

“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). In marriage relationships and others as well, remember “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

God values marriages. He created them. Each member is important. Each role vital.

Luke’s dad taught him that if you can help someone, you should.

He spoke of his mother holding the family together.

“She did all the things that nobody sees.”

Luke and his siblings are currently working on a movie called Unsung Hero, which is about his mother. It’s their story of coming to America. Even though his father is a verbose man and his sister, Rebecca St. James, is a singer-songwriter, it’s about the mother who held them all together behind the scenes.

Know that no matter what your role is in your family, God has placed great value on you.

Stick together and stay on the journey.

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