Family Portrait

Some years back, Desiree and I were able to contribute to the spiritual well-being of a friend named Mindy.  It’s not what you might think.  All we actually did was get a picture for the church directory back in Springfield.  But, the photographers were way behind and as we sat for the next 45 minutes, Josiah (then 4 years old) decided to strip off his clothes and take off down the church hallway.  When we took our eye off of Micah (then 2 years old), he began to head in another direction.  By the time we got in to take our picture, Josiah was crying and a steady stream was pouring out of his nose. He shoved his hand into his mouth in defiance of the photographer.  Micah was smiling, but had reached behind Desiree, grabbing a hand full of hair and pulling back.  I was more grimacing than smiling as I tried to hold Josiah still.  And every time our friend Mindy is feeling a little down, she reaches for that directory and looks up our family picture for a good chuckle.

Family photos are what we want people to see, not necessarily how things are.  One of the important aspects of the gospel is to change us from the inside out, not to create the perfect family photo, but to actually cultivate honest, healthy relationships in the family that will serve as anchors for all involved.  It is when our family, flawed as it is, works off of the principles that God lays out for the family that we will see a beautiful picture of what God intends for community and for His church.

Jesus, The Pattern Breaker

Brokenness is our lot in life, especially in the family.

I know this first-hand, having watched my parents divorce when I was 11. The startling thing has been the recent revelation that this brokenness was passed down to me. I have a good marriage to a wonderful wife, though we, like everyone, have our struggles. But, I have caught myself following some of the patterns that I thought I would never repeat. My dad disengaged prior to the divorce, and it was only accentuated afterwards. It has been a source of pain in my past.

So it was surprising to me that one day, I felt God confronting my own pattern of disengaging with my kids who wanted me to engage with them. It was a reminder of what we see happening in Genesis 4. Adam’s and Eve’s sin passed along a pattern of brokenness that expanded and worsened to their kids and the kids after them.

Thankfully, we also have a pattern-breaker in Jesus, whom we get a glimpse of in the birth of Seth (Genesis 4:25-26) and in the birth of a second “Lamech” in Genesis 5:28-29 (a good “Lamech” to replace the bad one in Genesis 4:19-24.) The life of Christ in overcoming brokenness in our families is one of both recognition of what we are negatively affected by, but also what has the potential to change and transform us into new people!!

The Family

As we begin this new series on the family and how God, Family and Church combine to create a powerful new remedy to what is ailing the modern home, we know how crucial this topic is!

Our culture has been busy presenting all kinds of traditional family alternatives. Our politicians want to re-define marriage and our TV shows want to present new models that make a traditional family look antiquated, irrelevant and often times, the poorest of the options presented. But, the family—as God designed it—is still one of the most powerful forces on earth.

I can tell you that if it had not been for families that came alongside me as a kid, I would be so lost in the cacophony of ideas, I would not know where to even begin when it comes to marriage, parenting, etc….

I am praying and hoping that God gives us all a clear picture of the way forward and I invite you to be part of the Sunday services, and also to connect with some of the additional helps, like InGauge on September 22! And keep your eye out for someone in your circle of influence who might be helped with the concentration on the family!!