family advice

Behavior is the family’s glue – not feelings

If feelings solely drive our family relationships then we will fail in our responsibilities to each other, and our family bonds will feel more like ball-and-chains.

So:

  • The Lord teaches husbands to love their wife (Ephesians 5:25); this isn’t feelings alone – it’s action.
  • The Lord teaches wives to submit to their husband (Ephesians 5:22); this isn’t feelings alone – it’s action.
  • The Lord teaches parents to raise children according to godly guidelines (Ephesians 6:4); this isn’t feelings alone – it’s actions.
  • The Lord teaches children to respect their parents (Ephesians 6:1); this isn’t feelings alone – it’s action.

Feelings waiver, wilt, wander, wish and become wily even within families, but listening to God is always beneficial for all.

This is why actions that please the Lord take precedent over feelings that may feel pleasing to self…because pleasing self can end up peeling us away from what’s truly important. But then again, that’s exactly why following Jesus makes for some crazy glue when it comes to the family. EA

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:18-21)

The Value of a godly Grand-Parent

Godly grandparents are an uncommon commodity. They share the one thing that each new generation needs – advice learned through experience.

This is one reason why Proverbs 16:31 says, “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.”

Few parents like to be told how to raise their child, but advice asked for and advice needed is two different things.

When it comes to advice needed, godly grandparents need to do three things:

  • remind their own children about the importance of raising up their child in the footsteps of Jesus
  • remind their own children about the importance of raising up their child in the footsteps of Jesus
  • remind their own children about the importance of raising up their child in the footsteps of Jesus

Do these three things and grand will only begin to describe your value. EA

“The heritage of the good man is handed down to his children’s children; and the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the upright man.” (Proverbs 13:22 – BBE)

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