The Family Unit

Easter Sunday was such a special day! I love having my mom, my girls and their boyfriends sitting with me. This year after church we all ate together and played at the pool. We had so much fun that we were still hanging out that evening so Mike went and got food to grill. There was so much laughter and joy. That night Mike was saying what a wonderful day it had been. He said, "I know you are happy - your favorite thing is to have everyone together having fun." He is right! I think I fell asleep that night with a smile on my face!

The next day as I pondered our day together I thought about how God must feel. I believe that is why He gave us family units. He reminds us of how we love our children and how we want a relationship with them. In the same way, we get a glimpse of how He loves His children, us! In the ups and downs of parenting we get a glimpse of God’s tenderness and patience toward His children. We are reminded of His abundant grace and mercy! We are His children. 1 John 3: 1, "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are..."

I think everyone wants to be in a close family unit. A strong family stays together and loves each other no matter what life brings. They each feel loved and valued. No family is perfect because people are not perfect but we can strive to have that starting with the parents having a God-centered marriage. Children learn about human love and God’s love from the relationship they witness between their parents. Parents must instruct and discipline their children. Exodus 20: 12, "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." A strong family teaches future generations about God, their relationship with Him and what He has done for them.

Is God smiling because of the time you have spent with Him?