Family

My husband and I have experienced our greatest trials and our greatest joys in the context of raising our seven children. For some of those years we’ve also enjoyed the blessing of living in an extended family with some of my siblings and with my husband’s parents. You see, God is the author of families. Families were His idea. His heart is to take orphans and put them in families. In some cases that means He places those who were once far from God as adopted sons and daughters into God’s family. In others it means He orchestrates literal adoptions. And in others He entrusts children to a husband and wife to raise. No matter what your family looks like, know that within the circle of those relationships God intends for you to find joy, peace, and hope as you experience love and intimacy. Family is His idea and He has given it as a gift to you. Even in the sometimes crazy, freewheeling, seemingly out-of-control days . . . it’s a gift. Treasure your family.

WHEN YOU NEED TO LOOK FOR GOD’S GIFTING IN YOUR CHILDREN . . .

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

WHEN YOU NEED TO BE REMINDED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING FOR YOUR FAMILY . . .

Those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.

WHEN YOU NEED TO HEAR THAT GOD IS WATCHING OVER GODLY FAMILIES . . .

He will bless those who fear the LORD,

both great and lowly.

May the LORD richly bless

both you and your children.