Earlier this week Martha and I watched the movie “The Father of the Bride”–the 1950 original, not the more recent remake. This version starred Spencer Tracy as the father of the bride and Elizabeth Taylor as the bride.
We loved watching it. It made me a bit melancholy (so Martha said). I agree that it did make me think about God’s wonderful gift of family and how blessed we are.
It made me think about my two wonderful daughters and the men they chose. It also made me think about the grandchildren they are raising.
God’s gift of family is so amazing and wonderful, but as a society we have so missed what God intended.
From the very beginning we have missed out on God’s plan for the family. Genesis 3 captures the rebellion of Adam and Eve, choosing their own way instead of God’s way. This has been the history of human beings. We have rejected God’s plan and made a plan of our own, often with disastrous consequences.
You can see this in Genesis 4 where Cain killed his brother Abel and took Adam and Eve’s rebellion to an even higher level.
How do we change our own personal circumstances and make our families better?
First, make a commitment to understand God’s plan and follow it. God’s plan is for the man and the woman to commit to the covenant of marriage. Can you imagine how many issues would be solved in our culture if we simply committed to the marriage covenant?
Second, let God’s teaching apply to your marriage and family. Treat the other members of your family the way you want to be treated. Love them as you love yourself.
Ephesians 4:25-32 wasn’t written about marriage but what wonderful results would occur if we simply followed these verses. “Let no corrupting talk come out of our mouths, but only such as is good for building up. as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. . . . Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Third, let your marriage be a place of prayer and Scripture. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).
Family has so much to give. We need to give it our full devotion.
4 Responses
You are so right. It has become a habit since my TV has been taping them, that I watch a recording of “Father Knows Best” each night. Now, every night I go to bed with those family values in my head and remember I was blessed to be raised with those wonderful, heartwarming memories. Even though the world is changing, it gives me peace and helps me to start out the day in a good frame of mind. I believe those family values still exist – it’s up to us to keep them alive, and instill in others who haven’t had those memories that they are so loved and their Heavenly Father Knows Best!.
We can make a difference. I’ve always said that the worse the culture gets, the more families will realize they have to have the church!
I’m happy to receive this invitation to become a participant in your stimulating blog. Please insert the Facebook share button so that I am able to share your blog with some of my friends. Thank you, Pastor!
Thanks, Lola. I will do so.