How To Better Love Your Family
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her
Week Two of the month of LOVE. Today we are going to talk about Storge (Pronounced: STOR-jay) – Family Love
The Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon defines storge as “cherishing one’s kindred, especially parents or children; the mutual love of parents and children and wives and husbands; loving affection; prone to love; loving tenderly; chiefly of the reciprocal tenderness of parents and children.”
When we become followers of Jesus Christ, we enter into the family of God. Our lives are bound together by something stronger than physical ties—the bonds of the Spirit.
The family is God’s creations, made in His image. In Psalms 139:13 it tells us; “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” We were each designed to specifically fit into the family that God bore us into. He has incredible plans for your family!
But we know that family can be both beautiful and messy. Comforting and trying. Joyful and full of sorrow. God knows your family is not perfect; He sees the places that have worn thin and the places where trials have exhausted you. It is also no secret to God that you struggle with issues of unforgiveness. But He longs to equip you with the grace to see your family restored and the heart to be able to forgive.
God reveals His character in the two essential elements of family — marriage and parenthood. Whether you are a parent or have a parent; whether you are married or want to be married; These two elements of family will affect you. Let’s look at them:
1. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. – Exodus 20:12
The family is part of God’s divine order of things. It was put into place because He loves and cares for us, He knows what is best. This commandment to honor our parents is followed by the promise of long life.
How sweet it is to be in the midst of a loving relationship. I was blessed to be born into a Christian family that loved me and took good care of me. We don’t get to pick our parents, but if we did, I would still pick mine. Our family is far from perfect, there has been hurt, betrayal, sin and brokenness with our family unit. But God’s grace and provision has gone before us and follows behind us, this is what a long life of protection, guidance, deliverance and provision look like.
Some practical steps for those struggling with this concept of honoring your parents:
- Pray for your parents; they need it!
- Model Jesus for them – They may not have seen Him lately
- Keep your emotions in check in front of them – take it up to Jesus, not out on them
- Cry it out; God has the softest shoulder to rest your head on
- Forgiveness does not mean you are permitting their actions, work out the issues of un-forgiveness with God
2. Children are a blessing – Proverbs 17:6
I longed to be a perfect Mother. The picture of the Proverbs 31 woman has always intimidated me.
- She gets up while it’s still night – I hit the snooze button 5 times
- She provides food for her family – My children think we have a Chef named Ronald
- She considers the field and then buys it – I just purchased 2 items on complete impulse from Etsy
- Out of her earnings, she plants a Vineyard – I bought a box of wine
Parenting and perfect are two words that were just not meant to go together. It is like birthdays and root canals. Here at Beautifully Broken where imperfection is beautiful, we will focus on the things we get right as we learn how to take baby steps towards a fuller life with God.
- My children feel safe in their home
- My children know that they are loved
- I believe in my children
- I give them excellent driving advise (LOL, I know how much they love that!)
- I make my kids laugh
The key to better loving your family is found in us combining our efforts with God’s grace. When we partner with Him, our family will benefit. I pray your family will be blessed by your dedication to follow Jesus and to minister to your family.
{A Warrior of Hope Values Family}
Heavenly Father we admire the masterpiece of your creation within our families. We pray that you would bless our families with your love and protection. May we enjoy the pleasure of one another’s company, share joy, celebrate happy occasions and be there for each other. Give us grace to forgive and strength to overcome obstacles. We pray all this in the Master’s name, Amen
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