FAMILY

Mothers Day is next Sunday and television programing is emphasizing families this week. I believe God created us to live in permanent families. The postmodern concept of rejecting marriage and family has not strengthened society by making each member independent. It has weakened it. Interdependence, the choice of relying on each other out of our strengths, is what family is about. One of the last lines of the movie, The Family Man, is “I choose us.” Let us all choose family during this week.
Plan a family game night, a togetherness walk, plant a family flower garden, bake cookies together, and shop for a bag of marbles (try the toy department or aquarium supplies) are a few suggestions. The most important addition is family devotional time. If lack of practice makes this uncomfortable for you, then begin slowly. Put a small clear bowl on the kitchen table and your little bag of colored marbles. At each meal, family members take one marble each and place it in the bowl while saying a specific blessing for their family. “God, please bless my family with harmony today.” Keep a little autograph book with each blessing, with the author and date, so you can enjoy re-reading it for years to come. And, every day, pray for each family member.

“Our Father God, you are the creator of families. Holy is your name and holy is the family of God. Some of your children have not grown up in a loving family and for this we grieve with you. May we offer your love and nurturance to them, that they may feel your family around them. For our own family we offer thanks and praise to you, oh God. We know that the only earthly possession we have, that goes with us into eternity, is our family. Remind me of my commitment to family time this week, oh Father, so that our family may be drawn together in love. I need nothing for myself except that each of my family members, which I now call by their name, be lifted up to receive your blessings and love, rich and pilled up, abundant and overflowing. Keep them from harm. Heal them from their pain and deliver them from the world’s hurts. Bring peace and calm, love and laughter, and fists full of joy to their lives. Bless their work and their play, their going out and their coming in and draw them into your presence, oh God. In the name of your son, our savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”
Doris
Copyright 2009 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”