“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8
The word “family” brings up all kinds of emotions and meanings.
Your first thought might be, “Well, I don’t have a family. That’s the problem.” Or maybe you’re a single mom, so you have children, but you don’t quite feel like you have a family. Or you live far away from your parents and siblings and have for a while, so family is more of an occasion a few times a year than a day-to-day relationship. Even more devastating is when one or both of your parents have passed away leaving you feeling somewhat like an orphan. This was my experience a few years ago when my mom died.
Then there are all of kinds of family dynamics and structures and sin that creep into every family. To even approach the topic of family seems overwhelming because as much as we want a one-size-fits-all for family, there just isn’t one.
Regardless we are still called to love our families. No matter what that looks like in our everyday lives.
Timothy says, “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?” (1 Timothy 3:5). Basically, if you can’t love the people in your life now, how can God trust you with other responsibilities to love and care for people – in the church – but also, just maybe, in a husband and children?
I will be honest, this is hard for me. It is easier for me to love my husband than to love my parents and brother. I think it’s because I have had more time with the humanness in my parents and brother. They have hurt me, and I have hurt them.
But as a single woman, loving our families – the families we have been given, however that looks – is God’s way of sanctifying us (making us more like Him), and preparing us for our future families.
It is important to love our families and learn how to do so better.
1. Forgive them.
Forgiveness is a huge topic and too deep to discuss fully in this post, but study what God says about forgiveness in the Bible, listen to sermons about forgiveness, and pray, pray, pray! Ask God to soften your heart and help you to forgive.
2. Make them a priority.
Think about your family’s needs and feelings before your own. Maybe you’re tired and really don’t feel like making a phone call – call them anyway. Maybe it’s too far or too much effort to go visit – visit them anyway. Even if doing these things makes your life a little more inconvenient put their wishes and desires before your own.
3. Invest in their lives.
Develop a relationship with your family even if you live far away. Remember them on special days and holidays. Ask about the details in their lives – their work, interests, health, individual families.
4. Serve them.
Whatever their current needs, help them. Maybe it’s help babysitting, packing for a move, making a meal, going with them to the doctor, or just a fun day out.
5. Pray for them.
Pray each day for your family. I have a prayer schedule, and each day of the week I pray for different people. Each member of my family has a special day. Also, thank God for them. Not only will this help you see your family as a gift, but it will also help you forgive them in any areas that need forgiveness.
Today, ask God to show you ways you can Fall in Love with Your Family!
And now for an AWESOME GIVEAWAY that I am super excited about! Can you tell?
Let’s Fall in Love with . . .
and a Giveaway!
Amylee creates beautiful scripture prints, block art, and framed art, and as a special Valentine’s Day gift to you she’s giving away your choice:
8×10 print of your design choice
or
5×5 art block of your design choice
So how do you enter?
It’s simple!
Enter to win using Rafflecoptor!
There are two mandatory entries:
1. Leave a comment below telling us how you show love to your family.
The other entries are “extras” and will help you win!
The winner will be announced on Friday, February 10th
and shhhh! another giveaway will begin - just for you during our 10 Days of Falling in Love!
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