Family

Eph 3:13 I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

(14)For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, (15)from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 1(6)that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, (17)so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (18)may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (19)and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

(20)Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, (21)to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Over the past few days and weeks I have watched family life in action in many different scenarios...some were as a result of celebration and accomplishment, some as a result of discord and confusion, some of loss and pain, and one facing the unknown day after day. I have watched the strength of faith in the family life as prayer, tears and hugs became the oneness that held all together. I have heard the stories of family life of yesterdays...memories, laughter and yes more tears. I have heard and watched proud moments in family life, of photos taken and video's recorded.

I have also witnessed the discord, heart-ache, broken relationships and confusion of family life, where "me" takes the place of "we" and "they" are no longer part of "us". And yet there is a Father who holds all things in His Hand and gives His name to His family according to verse 15 above...who has purpose and meaning for each of His own. He is in the midst of every situation...He is Dad...He is The Father and He cares for His children....He wishes for us to know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge that man can know or comprehend. He desires and provides for His family to be one...one in celebration (rejoice with those who rejoice), one in purpose, one in sorrow (weep with those that weep), one in spirit, one in Christ and one in the bond of peace. The Father desires that His Son, Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love in order that His love would Overflow through His family.

May each of us carry His family name with honor and may the Father's purpose be lived out in family life no matter the journey we find ourselves on for the moment. "know ye not, this body is not your own".

Learning,
Marty