|
Think On These Things Newsletter>
Raising a Family, Trusting in God
June 9, 2008
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (NRSV)
When I was growing up, my father seemed to me to be on some kind of a mission. And he was on a mission. He was raising a family and planning for the future. My mother was on a mission too, but her mission appeared to me to include us more so than my father. As I have grown older I have come to understand how mistaken I was. In my young mind, planning for the future meant figuring out what I was going to do the next weekend.
My younger brother and I were very much a part of my father’s mission. We could however, be frequent obstacles in the way of his goals. It was in the fifties and sixties and in middle class America, things were what they were and no one had much of a desire to change it. There were only a handful of occupations that were pretty much guaranteed to make one a good living. But all occupations depended on hard work to make a living.
As a general rule, life for a man was getting married, having children, and working hard - constantly - to support his family. For the woman, it was managing the household, sometimes working outside the home. But life was all about the family. At the time, however, that was not my particular point of view. I, of course, did not think they did enough for me.
I did not understand at the time what a job it was picking up for me and keeping my things clean and straight. Not to mention shopping, cooking, and the myriad other things to keep the family going. Now that we have three teenagers, I’m beginning to see the tough side. Which was not as difficult when the boys were younger - I could actually persuade them to do chores at least some of the time then.
All of this occurred to me as I was reaching up to put the same bowl on the shelf that I put up every day. As well as the rest of the dishes we use all the time. I was tired, but there was still a lot to do. Things that, if I did not do them, would not get done. But they have to be done to keep the family going.
Which is what I mean by my mother’s and father’s mission. My brother and I were a large part of the goals they set for us as a family. And now our sons are a large part of ours. As is our daughter who is almost 27, married, and has blessed us with our first grandchild. But for our sons, they are at that age when they are beginning to form habits and make choices that will affect them for some time to come.
Not only do Cyndy and I have to continually shrug off weariness and do the things that need to be done. We also have to endure bouts of “I don’t feel like it,” “my brothers never have to,” and “it’s not mine so I’m not picking it up.” As well as an outright “No,” and what I consider the worst, “I hate you.” Usually, only because they do not get what they want.
Everything we taught them over the years they seem to have thrown out the window. All the planning and work we did over the years to make sure they each got equal treatment seems all for naught. Then at times for a brief moment we see the light come on in their head belying our impression that it may be hopeless. Just like my parents did with my brother and I, we have to simply trust in the fact that we raised them as Christians. We did the best we could to teach them right from wrong. And have faith that the Lord is watching over us and will not test us more than we can handle. If he does, he will give us the tools we need to endure.
Peace be with you.
|
|
|
