Family Relationships

     Our families are so important to us. The wife and children that God has given me is beyond what I have deserved. I am ever grateful and I’ll bet you are thankful for your family too. Unfortunately, many Valley families are hurting and breaking apart. We ask God why and how can we fix it? Nobody desires a ‘broken’ family. God has given us a ‘Family Relations’ manual. (We all know that men don’t read the instructions, so women please read this to them!!) God speaks to the wives, husbands, children, and fathers.

     Colossians 3:18-21 starts with, “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”  Wives are to honor and respect their husband. Loving a husband comes more naturally for women but honoring and respecting requires intentional effort. “Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them.” Men tend to be rough and can hold a grudge towards our wives. This is not a loving attitude. Men must learn to be gentle and loving. “Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.” We are all children. We must be obedient in all things. We must teach our children to be obedient and the best teacher is the example of our personal life. “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, that they may not lose heart.” Fathers, we must know when to let up on our scolding and discipline. As the saying goes, ‘don’t beat a dead horse’. Extend discipline to your child and finish it with your statement that you love them; else they may lose heart. Don’t dwell in your anger. Give them positive encouragement when they do something right. Spread encouragement more liberally then repetitive reminders of their failures.

     We are each a member of our family and the whole body of the family is a function of each part. If one part is struggling the whole family will suffer. If all parts of the family are walking in unity and common purpose the family will prosper. Identify your part and seek to excel in it. Be a contributor to the family and not a demander. Excel in love towards each member of your family. Love covers over a multitude of sins. Love does not keep a record of wrongs. Love does not seek its own. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. Love never fails.

     A properly functioning family is a thing of beauty. God has given us the instruction manual in the Bible. We need only to read it and follow it in order to have health and happiness. We ignore it at our peril.

Submitted by Pastor Mark of Cornerstone Community Church, 1290 Grande Ave. Del Norte. 657-9107 www.cornerstonedelnorte.org