Thanks to the family...

I was raised in a nuclear family: one dad, one mom, four siblings, occasionally influenced by the presence of grandparents, uncles and aunts. My parents committed their life to Jesus very early in life and before I was born. That was normal for me and I grew up thinking everybody had similar opportunities. After adulthood and living in different cultures I realized I was privileged to have such family environment. For many the idea of family doesn’t seem so comfortable. Many grew up with only one parent or cared by other family member, or experiencing ruptures, divorce, or chronic fights, each individual by themselves. If you have a healthy family, you have to be thankful and if you don’t, break the vicious circle, make everything you can to be building one that will be healthy for the next generations. A family that builds up instead of destroying.  

Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you;

   never forget what you learned at your mother’s knee.

Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair,

   like rings on your fingers.

Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you,

   don’t go along with them.

If they say—“Let’s go out and raise some hell.

   Let’s beat up some old man, mug some old woman.

Let’s pick them clean

   and get them ready for their funerals.

We’ll load up on top-quality loot.

   We’ll haul it home by the truckload.

Join us for the time of your life!

   With us, it’s share and share alike!”—

Oh, friend, don’t give them a second look;

   don’t listen to them for a minute.

They’re racing to a very bad end,

   hurrying to ruin everything they lay hands on.

Nobody robs a bank

   with everyone watching,

Yet that’s what these people are doing—

   they’re doing themselves in.

When you grab all you can get, that’s what happens:

   the more you get, the less you are.

(Prov.1:8-19 MSG)

Prayer: Thanks for the protection of a family environment. Thanks for family values. Thanks for molding my character and habits through a family. Thanks for continuing that process with the extended family, the church in every country I have been. Help me to provide care and support for the family I am in now. Help us to continue that care for generations until the day You come for us all.