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Family
May 26, 2012

Families come in all shapes and sizes and for many people the thought of not having a loving and caring family is strange. There are many others for whom the idea of having a loving and caring family is equally strange. As we live, we tend to get use to our environment, and this is why some can live on the hottest place on earth and others can live in some of the coldest. Last summer, my family had the chance to visit Alaska, and we had the chance to visit Barrow, all the way on the far north slope, and while it was more than 110 degrees back home, it was barely above freezing in Barrow. It makes me think just how very cold Barrow must be in the winter months and as strange as it is for me to consider living in a very cold place, it must be equally strange for those who call Barrow home to consider living in a very hot place. What is normal for some is strange for others, and sometimes family is like that. If you have a loving and caring family be thankful because there are many for whatever reason who do not have a loving and caring family. Some are all alone. Some have a family that is selfish. Others have a family that is disfucntional and have little love or concern for each other. If you have a family that is at peace, has its needs being met, and loves and cares for each other, you have a blessed family. You may not understand the challenges faced by others. If you are a student in school, you may have a bully. Maybe that bully learned being a bully from a family who instead of loving and caring for him, bullied him. This does not excuse the behavior, but if you can understand why others act in a certain way, sometimes it takes away the hurt. Maybe you have a neighbor who does not dress well. They might not be able to afford clothes. Maybe a friend needs to take a shower, but maybe they don't have running water in their house. You might know somebody who is always falling asleep in class. Maybe they live in a home and don't have a bed to sleep in. For every person you meet, you will find the story behind the person, and for some, they don't understand family. As much as you might not be able to understand your life without a family, there are those who cannot understand their life with a family. So if you have a family that is loving and caring, you are blessed.

Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Most families have two parents, and some have only one parent. Caring and loving families tend to work on rules that are understood by all in the family. One rule that is important for children to obey is to honor their parents. This means that we do only those things which would make them proud. This includes obeying our parents, but also doing the right thing. This is the only commandment with promise. Most children who honor their parents live a long time, because living a long time is a natural part of doing good. Yes, sometimes a person who does good, like Jesus, dies young, but for many who do good, they will live a long time. Rules don't apply to children only as the Bible tells parents what they should do.

Ephesians 6:1-4
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The apostle Paul, who wrote to the Ephesians, knew the scriptures inside and out, and he knew the promise of a long life. He also understood the dynamics of family and how a parent can provoke children to anger. Parents must be careful to not provoke children, and sometimes children are very good at provoking parents. The Bible is clear that children should not provoke parents, and parents should never use the attitude of a child to provoke the child to anger. There are many ways how a child can be brought up in the nuture and admonition of the Lord. This does not require harsh techniques. There are some who think parents must be harsh with children. Parents do have to set expectations for children and nurture the child to reach those expectations. The admonition of the Lord is more about warnings of bad things that are likely to happen if one does not obey God. It is not a constant criticism of a child. Parents need to remember that children want to please even if they are not doing everything the parent wants done. Parents need to nuture the child to increase capacity of the child.

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Sometimes friends are easier to get along with than family. There is an old saying, you can choose your friends, but you cannot choose your family. People become friends either because they are similar to use or they complement us, meaning they fill in the gaps of what we need in our life. Sometimes family is way too much like us, and sometimes family is just way to different than us. That's normal and part of being family. I remember being younger and not always getting along with my sister. Now that we are adults, we tend to get along fine, because she has her house, and I have my house.

Families can be loving and kind, and if you have a loving and kind family, you are blessed, and if you do not have loving and kind family still remember to honor your parents, and if your have parents that try to provoke you, please remember to forgive them. One day things will be better, because you will have your own house, and they will have their own house.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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