Wonderful Time of the Year
Thinking about these blissful times draws me to think about the most loved of atmospheres called "Home." Most of us relish memories and moments of acts of love and kindness that we've witnessed or been a part of from our family settings. There's just something about these "God-ordained havens" that when replaced with anything else, will never produce in the remotest of ways the same results.
It's been said that "As the family goes, so goes the church. Or so goes the nation." This is a powerful thought that bears much truth. God from the very beginning established home and family in the Garden of Eden. He set it up with rules and gave responsibilities to each member. He knew the strength and wisdom of such relationships. He also saw the fall and error of a beautiful thing traded for selfish ambition.
In all this rejection of His ways, He so lovingly, time and again, sent ways to have a relationship with man and for man to relate well and have success with his family.
Of course, ultimately He sent His Son to remedy all error and grant as much love and life to folks as they can grasp. Isn't He awesome?
When we think about that beginning family and the practices they had in place, we realize that they spent their days walking and talking with God. They enjoyed His marvelous provision and their lives reflected this. Their whole existence was an act of worship unto Him. It really does sound like a eutopia to which Eden is often referred.
But, what about our homes today? Could I be dreaming to think that we could attain a level of walking and talking with our Creator in such a way as to enjoy an "Eden" experience?
This week I spent some time studying some information on "Family Worship." It seems many homes have lost something so dear. What if we could see that He is the center focus of our homes? What if we could spend just a few minutes each day called aside to worship Him in a family effort? It wouldn't have to be some well-formatted doctrinal thing. Just simply spend some well-honored time in a visit with our Master as a family.
Though we may not see the bliss of the unmarred Eden until He returns for us again, we could enjoy the blessings of a well-connected Christian family reaping ripe results in the labor of His kingdom. We have a place for wounds to heal and love to abound in spite of mistakes and shortcomings.
It's often said, "Home is where the heart is." What constitutes the heart of your home today? Will our Lord be found as the centermost value in our families? Will our practices in our homes bring honor to Him? Or, are there many things that need a quick change?
We have grave concerns over our nation and leadership roles within it. However, those positions have been filled with folks who were "cranked out" of the cradle of someone's home. We wonder what we could possibly do besides pray to make a difference in our nation. How about honoring God from our homes as a family?
As I share this quote with you today, I pray we reflect seriously on the condition of our homes. As parents, we might think of the words of Neil Postman. "Children are living messages that we send to a time we will not see."
Hope you had an especially blessed Thanksgiving Holiday Season,
Julie
Scripture References:
Genesis chapters 1-4
Deut. 6:5-9 "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."
Comments
Post a Comment