FAMILY MATTERS (1)                                                           Ephesians 4:1-6 NKJV

“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (vv2-3)

When it’s easier to talk to outsiders than it is to your own family, something’s wrong. Your family should be a support system, a safety net to catch you when you fall. We like to envision family” as a hard-working dad, a stay-at-home- mom, two children, a dog, and a house with a white picket fence. But for many people family means money problems, troubled kids and warring spouses. That’s why Paul writes: “Walk with… longsuffering bearing with one another in love… keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” It takes a big dose of grace to make it all work. So start praying for your kids, instead of just setting boundaries that create distance between you when you don’t see eye to eye. You won’t always agree, but you must learn to respect each other. When God said, “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6 NIV) He didn’t say what qualifies as “old,” or when your investment would start paying of: Every family has its ups and downs. And every family tree produces a few nuts. In fact, sometimes the best part is underground. But if you bail out when things get tough you’ll miss the rewards you’d have gotten by hanging on. Often the child that blesses you most is the one who didn’t reflect your views, married someone you don’t like, and doesn’t invite you over to dinner. In the long run none of that matters because your family is a life-long investment. What’s important is to love and support one another unconditionally right now (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, thank You for the gift of lovely children, grant me the wisdom to plan the role of a model for Your Name to be glorified.

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It takes the grace of God to be a role Model.