Family

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:1–4

A family is defined as “a group of persons who form a household under one head, including parents, children, and servants.” While not all families are alike, our families should be characterized by love—love that creates a close bond with the others members in the family.

During World War II and the holocaust, the lives of millions of people were taken. Solomon Rosenberg and his family were a few of the people murdered. Solomon Rosenberg, his wife, their two sons, and his mother and father were arrested and placed in a Nazi concentration camp. It was a labor camp and the rules were simple, "As long as you can do your work, you are permitted to live. When you become too weak to do your work, then you are exterminated."
Every evening Rosenberg came back into the barracks after his hours of labor and searched for the faces of his family. When he found them they would huddle together, embrace one another, and thank God for another day of life.One day Rosenberg came back and didn’t see those familiar faces. He finally found his oldest son Joshua in a corner, huddled, weeping, and praying. He said, "Josh, tell me it’s not true." Joshua turned and said, "It is true, poppa. Today, David was not strong enough to do his work. So they came for him." "But where is your mother?" asked Mr. Rosenberg. "Oh poppa," he said, "When they came for David, he was afraid and he cried. Momma said, `There is nothing to be afraid of, David,’ and she took his hand and went with him."

This family bonded together during a time of adversity. They loved one another and continued to grow in their love one for another. How can you have a pleasant family life? How are some people so happy to go home after work, while others work overtime just so they don’t have to go home?

It is because of love. When love is present in your family, you will become more patient and kind towards one another. No one likes constant conflict in the home. Yet, this seems commonplace in many families.

Do you love those in your family? Many times we say we love our families, but when was the last time you did something nice for them? Maybe it was fixing a meal, cleaning your home, or even just spending time with a family member. Even though you may see your family every day, you still need to take time to show them that you love them.

What is something special you could do for a member of your family? Make it a point today to ask God to help you cultivate love in your family. Ask Him to help you become kind and patient with others. Also, thank Him for the family He has given you. Don’t take your family for granted! Not everyone has a family! Thank God for them today.