Psalms 68:6 says God puts people together in families. Specifically, it says, “God sets the lonely in families.” Maybe that's because otherwise we would be lonely and incomplete. Families remind us that we’re not alone in life, that we’re doing life together, whether it be from birth, marriage, adoption, traditional, blended or single parent. Families remind us that we’re not alone in life. We’re doing life together with other people, in our families.
Families remind us that there are people who are like us, which can be good or bad, depending on the mood, maturity, age, attitude, action or reaction. I love watching our kids grow up into smart, beautiful, godly, young men and women. They remind Karen and I how each of them are similar to Karen and I in various ways, because of our chemistry and chromosomes coursing through their DNA. Each are adventurous about certain things and timid about things. Some are a little more like Karen or more like me, than the other. And each are as imperfect as their parents, but what that means is we understand them. We know and understand how they think and feel. And as they grow up and mature, they understand where Karen and I are coming from, how we think and feel. So with family eventually comes the ability to empathize and understand each other.
Family also means there’s always someone standing on the sidelines, in your corner, cheering you on. We did that with each of our kids in football, soccer, basketball, school concerts, worship teams and church bands. And they're there for me when I’m preaching or teaching. I have a lifetime of wonderful memorizes watching them in church.
Families show you what you have been, what you are, and to varying extents, what you will be. It doesn’t mean you lack or lose your individuality. It means your individuality comes from, fits into, and is shaped by, the diversity of your family; a plurality of imperfect people who help make you who you are, and give us wonderful bittersweet memories when they’re no longer there.
Families are where countries, communities, churches and cultures, come from ever since God created Adam and Eve. Family is how these things grow and expand, as people come together bridging countries and cultures, creating new extended families and communities.
According to Ephesians 5-6, families remind us of our relationship with God; that we are loved and have someone to love, that we are forgiven and periodically have people that need our forgiveness, as we stand together against the spiritual forces of evil that wage war against our lives, our marriages, families, communities, countries and The Church. Strong loving families are made up of people who ask “what can I do for my family?” The answer usually includes prayer, sacrifice and giving goodness and always includes God.
Some countries have a “Family Day” on their calendar. For me every day is family day. I love my family and thank God for each of them, every day; for Karen, our kids, my brothers, sisters, moms and dads, in-laws, everyone; friends and family. I hope, trust and pray, that you do too with yours, because everyone has a mom and a dad. Everyone comes from a family, as imperfect or perfect as it may be. And you came from one and are a part of one, because God loves you.
Maybe if every generation created a better, more loving and godly family unit, building on the goodness of the past, centered on God, we would build a better society, country and communities of people and believers worldwide, in Jesus’ name.
Blessings,