Weighing in ... with autobiographical story
I agree that no calling is necessary to become poly, since the scriptures make no differentiation. Presumably any marriage has the potential to become a poly family.
I also agree that it is important to take into consideration the preparedness of one's existing family to open their hearts and accept more people.
Having said that, I do believe that God absolutely
CAN specify His intention for poly in your life, at which point it is up to you and your family how they will, individually, respond.
In my case, when I reached the point of being willing to give up my aspirations due to my wife's opposition (the wife of my youth, whom I dearly loved and still do), I received a vision while standing during a praise service at church. In it, I showed up to give an account of my husbanding/fathering in the courts of heaven with two wives and various children, and received approval from the Father. hen the scene replayed, I showed up with just my existing wife and kids, and was asked, "Where are those I tried to place in your care?" I don't EVER want to hear that for real!!!
My wife said, "But I'm telling you NOT to!" and "I don't care WHAT you find in scripture, *I* know whatis right" and finally "I'm moving out with the kids -- we had a family meeting and are all agreed" followed, eventually, by a divorce in which I refused to participate.
I waited, not always patiently or happily, for the Lord's leading. Without clear scriptural guidance, nor even a clear good tradition as to what to do in these situations, I tried dating a couple of times, talked to ladies online, the usual. Not too much success, in large part because I felt, in my particular situation that if God had someone(s) He was particularly intending to put in my care, I should wait and let him do it, and concentrate on becoming a man whom it would be SAFE to entrust with His daughters' hearts.
A couple of years later, that happened. Story for another time. But Cindy became my wife, and her 4 children are morphing into my children (I'm talking about ther emotional process, not the legal one.)
Still haven't figured how to win my first wife and my own children back into my family, but it remains before the Lord. Audrey, my first wife, and I remain friends and openly acknowledge continuing to love each other. She's just unwilling to accept poly, and I'm not willing to grant her veto rights between me and God. *sigh* Prayers continue.
A final comment: Many of my family look at the last 12 years and say, "Cecil, look at all that your belief in poly has cost you! You no longer have your secure job, your 5000 sq/ft house on 2 acres, your wife or your kids. You've had to move every couple of years, working at jobs across the country. You've had lawyers fees out the wazoo (Cindy's kids vs. their seriously abusive father, another story), lived in a storage unit, had to sell treasured music gear for a fraction of its replacement cost to pay chiold support. Look at what it has COST you!"
I, on the other hand, look back on those 12 years as quite possibly the most blessed of my life! I've learned about true friendship. Gained family. Learned that when God is with you, you are NEVER truly homeless. Learned that He WILL and DOES provide food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and work as needed -- not necessarily on MY schedule, but always on time, and sometimes extravagantly, just for fun!"
Has poly
COST me? Not in my view! It has
PROFITED me, greatly!
