Kirk Dewayne Franklin is an American choir director, gospel musician, singer, songwriter, and author. He is best known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God’s Property, and One Nation Crew. He is a beloved and influential figure in the gospel music world.

Instagram exploded recently with an audio of the famed gospel singer Franklin berating his 32-year-old son. The son posted the audio of the verbal exchange between he and his father. The audio was a profanity laced call that included his father the elder Franklin threatening to break his son’s neck.

According to the elder Franklin there has been a 14-year rift between he and his son. Many counseling sessions and the family’s attempts at trying to resolve the conflict have apparently remained unsuccessful. For many years according to reports his son has avoided family dinners, holidays and other gatherings. National television and various media outlets reported Franklin saying, “Recently, my son and I had an argument that he chose to record. I felt extremely disrespected in that conversation, and I lost my temper. And I said words that are not appropriate. And I’m sincerely sorry to all of you. I sincerely apologize,” Franklin said.

Good Morning America, The Washington Post and various other national media sources have reported this story which is a sad personal family drama. For many years this tension has been a difficult rift for this very famous family. It’s unfortunate that the adult son chose to play it out on social media which has now become national news.

Many families have struggles and no one is perfect, including Kirk Franklin. He proves once again that most people have a breaking point and it’s never pretty when it happens. Most of the time it’s the people who we love the most and do the most for who have a way of flipping our switch. We often can take a lot from strangers and casual acquaintances because we really don’t care that much what they think or even what they say. However, when it’s a child who you have invested your entire life into stomps on your heart then emotion and passion have a way of taking over. As Franklin proves, words may be said that are later regretted.

It’s unfortunate that even the best of people have feelings and words that can come out so ugly. Where do they come from? Ugly words often come from unresolved hurt and pain that have become toxic. Poison is deadly. We allow poison to be bottled up deep in our hearts. In verbal altercations like the Franklin’s the bucket falls deep into the well of the heart and sadly what comes up is the pain and poison of past hurts that have been unresolved. We all have to guard our hearts and what we allow to take root. None of us need anything that might spring up to hurt us and others.

Let’s pray for the Franklins. Most families have had moments not scripted for the national spotlight.

Dr. Glenn Mollette is the author of 12 books. His syndicated column is read in all 50 states. He is a graduate of numerous schools including Georgetown College, Southern and Lexington Seminaries in Kentucky. Learn more at www.glennmollette.com. Like his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/glennmollette. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of this paper or its corporate ownership.