SEARCHLIGHT
What are you doing to maintain family ties?
SCRIPTURE
Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation. Joel 1:3 NLT
SPOTLIGHT
My wife, Donna, and I grew up having the rich privilege of Godly parents. They loved God and exemplified Christlikeness to us. When Donna and I got married and had a family, we were determined to have the grandparents be a major influence in our children’s lives. Although we lived many miles away, we would always go home for vacation and Christmas. In addition, the grandparents committed themselves to visiting us. They loved and nurtured their grandchildren in a variety of ways. Over the years, they had a profound spiritual influence on our children.
FAMILY TIES are all important to raising a healthy family. In today’s Scripture focus, the prophet Joel spoke about this while he was introducing his prophetic message. He underscored the importance of grandparents and parents telling the stories of God from one generation to another. Family ties were key to keeping God’s message alive. Parents were not just responsible for teaching Christian truth. Grandparents were essential to keeping God’s works from being forgotten, dying out or replaced with other beliefs.
Worldly wisdom says that grandparents are not essential to raising a family. Their job is just to visit and spoil the grandchildren. Godly wisdom says that grandparents are vital to a healthy family life. They are critical to developing a strong spiritual foundation in the family. The Bible says, “He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them-even the children not yet born-and they in turn will teach their own children. So, each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors – stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.” [Psalm 78:5-8]
Worldly wisdom says, “teach goodness to your children.” Godly wisdom says, “teach Godliness to your children so they can become good.” Family ties ensure this is taught in different ways.
Worldly wisdom says, “teach children to put their hope in themselves. Give them a strong self- identity and they will make it.” Godly wisdom says, “teach the next generation to put their hope in God.” Strong family ties give children generational testimonies to prove hope in God works.
Generational storytelling is so helpful in teaching about the greatness, love and faithfulness of God. Testimonies of true life experiences become anchors of faith for the future. Grounding younger generations in an understanding of God’s grace and power is done best through family ties. The older teach the younger. The younger keep the older younger.
Multi-generational family teaching is taught in Scripture over and over again. Parents and grandparents are to teach lessons from the past. Do not hide truths from your children. Tell about His power and mighty wonders. God’s laws and instructions are worthy to be taught.
King David offered Barzillai, his friend, a home in his Jerusalem palace. What an attractive offer! Yet Barzillai turned down the offer. Why would someone turn down the privilege of living in a palace and eating the king’s food? One of the predominant reasons was his family ties. Read about it in II Samuel 19:31-37. His closeness with his loved ones was too strong to break, even for a position beside the king or a posh palace home.
Every age group in a family plays a key role in the well-being of the other groups. All are vitally important to each other. My mother unknowingly underscored the importance of family ties. I recall a visit our family made to my parents’ home. As we were leaving, my mom hugged me and said, “Thanks for coming Jackie, you (the visit of the family) encourage Dad and me every time you do. And we do need to be encouraged too.” In essence she was saying that the younger people keep the older people young. Family ties are so important to all ages of the family. What are you doing to maintain family ties?
SOMETHING TO DO
Miles may separate you from family, but God’s truths can still be expressed. Are your family ties strong enough that you regularly call, text or facetime? Do you remember your family in prayer? Cards sent by mail for special days still make an impact in our internet world. Whether you are a parent or a grandparent, how are you creating opportunities to communicate how awesome God has been to your family?
Read Deuteronomy 6:2, Psalm 103:17,18 and 2 Timothy 1:5.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, show me how to make our family ties strong. We need each other. Help all of our family to teach others about Your love, goodness and greatness. AMEN!