God is for family!

• God invented the family.
• God will provide for the family.
• God will protect the family.
• God will defend the family

God wants you to talk to Him about your family.

• God will help you provide for your family.
• God will help you protect your family.
• God will help you defend your family

God wants you to be for your family.

How am I doing in this area? Do I need to think differently about my family and me?

Today, walking across the parking lot from the grocery store, I smiled at a younger woman walking to the store.

The look on her face caught me. It just about brought tears to my eyes. It was a look of unspoken need. ‘Does anybody see me? Does anyone care?’

We are people and we need other people. We need the acknowledgment of another human being. That is just the way we are made.

Even apparently tough looking individuals – deep inside need to be acknowledged and recognized by another.

Many times, all another person needs is some kind of encouragement, commendation; somebody who notices them personally. They don’t want to be ‘insulted’ by a mere handout. They want to be seen for who they are and where they are.

I think this is especially important for people in wheelchairs, those struggling in stores or going up and down the sidewalk, parents pushing a severely disabled family member. They all need someone – you, me – to pause and smile at them, greet them, tell them ‘Hi’, make eye contact with them. They may not be able to respond, but they will feel your loving-kindness and it will bring them cheer, even if only for a moment.

Don’t withhold these free gifts of yours from others in need. Together, we each can bring life giving influence into our circles. It will send ripples, perhaps unseen to us at the time, but felt by others.

Who will I be watching for today?

What is family? What is a family? Why are there families? Who needs a family?

These are important questions today. Too many do not have a family or one they want to call family.

I see family as a place of refuge filled with love and support. A place where you can talk about all kinds of things together and openly. A place where confidences can be shared and not retold. A place of care and provision. A place of beauty and rest…and peace. A place where meals, sustenance are prepared and shared. A place where everyone contributes some portion or category of work to help the family succeed.

Hold on a minute…!!!

‘My family doesn’t have all those ‘traits’!’ ‘Doesn’t even come close!’ ‘We don’t like each other most of the time.’ ‘Everybody’s gone and the place is a mess!’ ‘No one talks to each other, we hardly even see each other.’ ‘We don’t like the same kind of food either!’ ‘How come nobody helps out around here?’ ‘Just a whole lot of complaining!’

I understand where you’re coming from.

Why don’t you begin to start the change. You be the yeast in the bread, the catalyst in the glue. ‘I’ve already tried that and it didn’t work :(‘  Most breads don’t rise immediately. Sourdough takes days! Good wood glues don’t set up immediately either.

Families take time, change and adjustment. Lots of give and take; often somebody has to do more of the giving. Families take lots of communication.

No family is perfect. Don’t give up because yours is not. Look for little areas you can improve your family life. Keep your areas tidy and clean. Help another member with theirs. Surprise them with something they’d like. Ask what they’d like cooked or baked and then make it happen. Plan a time of togetherness with as many involved as possible. It doesn’t have to be long and drawn out…just be together…

Keep a good sense of humor. Begin small today…somewhere.