I have been thinking a lot about the family unit lately. Maybe it is all of the parenting training I am getting, or maybe it is because I was on a Marriage retreat last weekend, or maybe it is because I was at a training session on loving your spouse and children in a positive way. I think all three of these have had a part to play in my thoughts on family. This article is the first in a series; because there is just so much to say on this topic.
First of all, we did not choose our family, God did. So many of us have heard the first part of that comment, but how many of us have really contemplated the last part. God chose us to be a part of our family. Immediately, some of you are thinking that is impossible because God is perfect and believe me my family is so far from perfect. God knows the family unit is not perfect, just like none of us are perfect; however there are some real and practical ways to have a healthy family. Sorry to burst the bubble, but no matter how great a family looks on the outside, NO family is perfect.
My family growing up was not even close to perfect. I have two brothers and two sisters all younger than me. My Dad worked so much we rarely saw him and when we did he struggled with his anger a lot. My mother had me when she was still a teenager, so in a lot of ways I think she had a really hard time coping with everything. I can't imagine how hard that must have been on my mom. So, why did God want me to be part of my family? I can see several reasons. First it taught me how to be responsible; with 5 kids in the house my mom needed my help a lot as we were growing up. Secondly it taught me to be strong; I needed to be strong for my mom and my siblings throughout those years and that strength has made me the person I am today. Thirdly, I have seen how God can use me to help my family grow and change. In the last few years I have helped my family in a number of ways and know that all of them have been helped and changed by God's touch. I only had to be obedient.
First of all, we did not choose our family, God did. So many of us have heard the first part of that comment, but how many of us have really contemplated the last part. God chose us to be a part of our family. Immediately, some of you are thinking that is impossible because God is perfect and believe me my family is so far from perfect. God knows the family unit is not perfect, just like none of us are perfect; however there are some real and practical ways to have a healthy family. Sorry to burst the bubble, but no matter how great a family looks on the outside, NO family is perfect.
My family growing up was not even close to perfect. I have two brothers and two sisters all younger than me. My Dad worked so much we rarely saw him and when we did he struggled with his anger a lot. My mother had me when she was still a teenager, so in a lot of ways I think she had a really hard time coping with everything. I can't imagine how hard that must have been on my mom. So, why did God want me to be part of my family? I can see several reasons. First it taught me how to be responsible; with 5 kids in the house my mom needed my help a lot as we were growing up. Secondly it taught me to be strong; I needed to be strong for my mom and my siblings throughout those years and that strength has made me the person I am today. Thirdly, I have seen how God can use me to help my family grow and change. In the last few years I have helped my family in a number of ways and know that all of them have been helped and changed by God's touch. I only had to be obedient.