God designed the family as a unit that works together. The Father is the spiritual head of the household, the mother is the one that he needs to support him and help him with whatever he cannot do, and the children are the seeds that the parents plant into the future. The family is a gift from God, but it is under attack. Psalms 127:3-5 says, "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accuser at the city gates." Children are a huge blessing from God. Is it any surprise to us that the Devil is trying to steal them away?
I deal with children on basically a daily basis while I am at home for summer. These children open up to me fast and I hear all about their lives. I knew that the devil was trying to destroy families and that divorce rates were high, but it was shocking to actually see the numbers. To see a playground full of kinds and have nine out of ten tell me that they have to drive from daddy's house to mommy's house, or that they have step parents and half siblings. This alone did not shock me. What truly struck my heart was the tears when the children were sharing storing of how the devil got into their families. I have heard almost everything from abuse and negligence, to children feeling no love or trust from their parents. I have heard of fights, moving outs, tears, arguments, and so much more from people who were no where near old enough to drive, much less move out.
I am not saying that this is the parent's fault alone. The children usually have something to do with it as well. I am not trying to point blame at any specific family member. What I am saying is that we must restore the family to it's original glory. Look at Proverbs 12:7. "The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stand firm." When we stand unified and firm on the word of God, we will be blessed. In Proverbs 11:29, it says, "whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise." We must not allow the Christian body to become nothing. We must stand firm!
To the husbands: When you take your bride, make your vows count. Do not say "for better or for worse" unless you mean it. If you are seriously in love with her, show her by staying even when you feel like it is getting too hard. If you honor your word, and your wife, God will honor you, and that will look like Psalms 128:3. "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table."
To the wives: I have never been a woman and I never will be, but I can say this much. Support your man. The Bible does not say that you are any less important than your husband. You have a different role. Your children will need your love more than ever. No one can love like a mother, and no one can love like a wife. Continue to be patient and kind and you will be blessed. Proverbs 1:8 says, "Listen, my son, to your father's instructions and do not forsake your mother's teachings." You are not less. Your family needs you.
To the children: You must know your place. Do not talk back to your parents and do not dishonor them. Your God commanded you thousands of years ago to honor your father and your mother. You must respect your parents in order to respect God. Sometimes, it may seem like they do not understand; but they have been your age and are older. They know what is best. If you love them, trust them to know better, even when what they are saying looks wrong or irrelevant. Listen to them. This is your season to learn. Do not try to be wise in your own eyes. God gave you your parents for a reason. Look at Proverbs 15:20, "A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother." Look at your relationship with your parents. Are they happy with you or constantly upset? If they are happy, continue to do what you are doing. If they are upset, remember that you are not their equal. Submit to them and make them proud, because that is how you will make God proud.
To the family in whole: put God first and your family second. Support one another, surround yourself with the word, and do not be ashamed to speak of God in the house. No family is perfect, so let's not pretend like we are. Learn to listen and respect one another. Step into the positions that God has placed for you and allow Him to work. Mark 3:23-25 says, "Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. 'How can Satan cast out Satan?' He asked. 'A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.'" Let us not divide the kingdom in our home. Let us become a healthy part of the body of Christ. It all starts at the home.
-D
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