This time of year is a special time for celebrating new life. Jews celebrate the liberation from Egyptian bondage and the anticipation of entering the Promised Land. Christians celebrate new life through the resurrection of their Savior. The common ground for both of these holidays is that they are celebrated with family. They are days that families come together, play games, read stories and eat to their hearts content. Everyone puts on their best clothes and their best behavior because they acknowledge that these are sacred days. They are holy celebrations to be passed down from generation to generation. No matter how secular the world has gotten, these special days have remained vital parts of the world’s culture. That means something. It means that there is a foundation for longevity for the things in our lives that are worth doing over and over again so that the generations to follow will never forget or depart from them.
Family Day in South Africa is a wonderful extension of this holiday season. It moves us from the remembrances of the biblical past to the importance of who we are as a people in the present. Unfortunately, in recent generations broken family units have become a norm and family values and traditions are harder and harder to hold on to. In our current culture, families are made up of various combinations of people. Regardless of the makeup of a family, though, the way in which each member conducts himself/herself is what brings life to a family unit.
The Bible is a great tool to encourage the best in people in their pursuit of a loving and solid family life. Let’s see what we can glean from these instructions.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6.
What does it mean to train up a child in the way he should go? Children need guidelines, boundaries and discipline. Children need to know that the way they are being led is safe and good and conducted in love. According to the book of Proverbs there are two ways to go: the way of wisdom and life, and the way of folly and death. The instructions in this proverbial platform are common sense, but often so hard to fulfill. A good parent will impart these principals to their children in leading by example.
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12
Honoring your father and mother will look very different as the years go by. For a young child, it means to
obey their parents. Children should be secure in knowing that their parents are looking out for them and investing in teaching them to be the best person they can be.
For a teenager, honoring your father and mother means to accept their authority. This generally involves what you say and how you say it. True, some parents at times act in ways that make it hard to respect them. Even then, children can honor their parents by avoiding disrespectful speech and actions. Teens should have the confidence to know that their parents are looking out for their best interests and their safety.
For adults, it means to bring honor to your parent’s name. “The pride of sons is their fathers.” Proverbs 17:6. When an adult speaks of their parents with pride, it is a beautiful thing. The goal of each young parent should be that when their children are adults, they will bless them for a job well done. In old age, honoring your father and mother might mean that children might help in caring for their elderly parents. And as the cycle of life continues, the responsibility of parents to their children and children to their parents goes full circle.
“For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just.” Genesis 18:19
God has chosen men to be the spiritual leader in the home. Leading by example is the only way to gain the respect of your family. Behaving honorably will breed honor in the home. Joshua was one of the greatest commanders in biblical history. His words can be an inspiration to all men, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house.” Psalm 128:3
Wives historically set the tone in the home. If a wife is productive and positive, the family is at ease. Proverbs 31 describes a woman of excellence; a woman valor. In Hebrew she is called “Eshet Chayil”. Every Friday evening, at the Sabbath meal, Jewish men pray this over their wives. May this be an encouragement for all men to pray for their wife to fulfill her destiny as a Proverbs 31 woman! The old saying is true, “A happy wife is a happy life.”
In today’s world, where family values have diminished and faith is mocked, the guidelines of parenting and marriage have been blurred in the hearts and minds of the masses. It is not too late to get back to biblical values. It is not too late to start anew. It is not too late to love your family the way the family was intended to be loved. Love is something you do.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
