This picture looks like a perfect family. So do all of the ones we find across social media. Usually, everyone is doing their best to look the “happy family” part. Twenty-five years of ministry and our own life experience have taught us that healthy people help people… and hurting people hurt people, whether intentionally or accidentally. The beautiful part of the family picture above is that it proves that love and prayer work. The broken love you’ll see in the Love Works documentary was real, but so were the answered prayers. Generational sins have been broken, and a new season of generational faithfulness was prayed into existence.

No matter how many walls have been erected between you and the people you love, this true story is one that should give every family hope. It may never be the storybook family you dream of, but it can absolutely be better than you imagine.

Chris and Karin have been blessed with 28 years of marriage and are still going strong. They lead One City Church in Memphis, TN, and Race for Reconciliation, an educational nonprofit whose mission is to bring healing, honor, and hope to the city of Memphis. They both love visiting their incredible son and daughter, teaching, Memphis basketball, and their dog, Mo.