Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV)
An individual has more impact on their family than anyone else. Families share a name, a roof, history, ups, and downs. The influence is immeasurable. Cities thrive, communities flourish, and churches are strengthened when individuals are obedient to God’s command to care for family. It’s not easy. The struggle is real. But the reward is eternal. This poem echoes the journey an individual takes when they seek to obey God’s commands.
How do you keep a family together,
With so many opinions and so many dreams?
You reach, you tug, you grasp, you claw,
And nothing really works, as it seems.
How do you keep a family together,
With so many ups and downs?
You fight, you spit, you yell, you scream,
And nothing is left but frowns.
How do you keep a family together,
With so many issues and so little heart?
You love, you forgive, you pray, you obey,
And nothing tears it apart.
Questions:
How are you influencing your family?
What may God be asking you to do to lead your family to God?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving me a family. I want to care for my family more and more each day. Strengthen me for the task. I surrender my will to you. Help me to be sacrificial in my service to those I love the most.
C4 