Reflection: Blessing Two – Family
Just about all of us have families, one way or another. They come in all shapes and sizes, and they are places of great love and joy. Yet they can cause us great tension and hurt. There are many Bible verses on families, parenting, children, grandchildren etc. This verse points to the simple reality that for most of us our families will stick with us no matter what, while many friends will come and go. Jesus himself had an earthly family and his mother was at his side at both his death and resurrection. In the New Testament when families are addressed, the children are spoken to directly as full members of the family of God’s people.
God loves families and recognises the need each of us has to have an earthly family, as much as the extended multi-generational family that is the people of God.
Count your blessings today, and as part of that, give thanks for your family, immediate and extended. Pray for God’s grace to love them and be a blessing to your them. Pray for wisdom for the family relationships that are challenging.
Prayer:Â Almighty God and heavenly Father, your Son Jesus Christ shared at Nazareth the life of an earthly home. Bless our homes, we pray that parents and children may be bound to each other by mutual love and honour and come to a knowledge of your love for them; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (A Prayer Book for Australia).