What Is A Family

By definition a family is a “group of two or more persons related by birth, marriage or adoption who live together”.  Notice that it’s not just a blood line.  Families have ancestors (some of whom they may have never met) and descendants where the same case may also be true (never meeting).  Families consist of what we might call the nuclear family (Mom, Dad and children), followed by the marriages of those children and other offspring to follow, creating yet again another separate nuclear family.  In my own case, for example, I am the only one remaining from my nuclear family.  All others have pre-deceased me.  However, I have a wonderful extended family consisting of my children, their spouses and my blessed grandchildren, extending the line even further.

But, what are the characteristics of the family?  Besides the obvious of taking care to provide food, clothing and shelter, the relationships go much deeper.  Within this core unit are different personalities, different viewpoints, desires and dreams.  Each needs to be respected as well as individuality being cultivated.  Family members may not always agree, but there is mutual respect which allows for those differences.  And, families are always held together by the strongest element there is:  love.

Family members don’t mind sleeping on the same sheets as another member did.  They don’t mind using the same towel or drinking out of the same cup.  Family members may feel the freedom to criticize each other – but nobody else better attempt such a thing or they will find wrath poured out on them!  Families have certain things they can relate to which no outsider can grasp.  They have a certain sense of humor and find things funny that others may not.  Family is a place where you feel at peace and comfortable and cared about no matter what.  Family members stay together even when they are apart because they don’t need to be in the same room or even the same town to feel close.

Families are loving and caring but they don’t force themselves into each other’s lives.  They are there to support and respect.  If parents have done their job while rising their children, they can step away and allow each individual child the freedom they deserve.

One of the tough parts of being a parent is looking back on what you perceive you should have done – but the time for that has since past.  Some of those things may not be all that important in the long run.  Aging parents can still and always pray!

Instilling faith and making memories as children are nurtured is the ticket.  Those memories will be special as they are shared and they will be understood only by those who participated in making them.  It’s part of what makes them special.

Regardless of what kind of situation we grew up in, our job now is to make it better for succeeding generations through prayer and acceptance and love.

Faith

And

Memories

Including

Love

Year-to-year =

FAMILY.

No family is perfect because the members are not perfect.  Obviously, some have grown up in less than ideal situations.  It then becomes a choice whether to repeat that cycle or break it and thereby attempt to create a more loving and safe environment.  It’s not easy but it can be done.  The family unit is like the roots of a tree.  Keep it stable, well fed and well watered and its growth will astound you.  Family is a gift.  Treat it as such.

“But, if anyone does not provide for his own, especially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith…”  (1 Timpthy 5:8)

“Love one another…”  (John 13:34)