Come in and Visit
I’ve written about ‘Enjoying the Family’, ‘Keeping the Family’s Love Bank Full’, ‘Giving Your Family the Gift of Respect’, and ‘Laughing With Your Family’, and now I write about Building a Family of Faith’. A large percentage of Americans say this is a very important issue for them, and that’s good. So just how do we do that? Maybe my story will help.
I am so appreciative that the faith of my parents, — the Christian Faith, the belief that God loves me and that Jesus, the Christ, gave His life for me, — was passed along to me in many ways — ways that were so natural that it seemed effortless — but I’m sure it wasn’t.
Just like ‘Enjoying the Family’ has been a natural part of my life, ‘Enjoying the family of God’ is one of the many benefits of the Christian Faith. Being together with others of the Christian Faith in worship, studying, singing, and ministering to others brings a richness to life not found outside the Family of God. — And, oh yes, those Annual Sunday Potluck/Picnic gatherings made for very special childhood memories.
As a teenager endless hours were spent rehearsing in a girls’ trio, playing piano for a mixed quartet and playing for my brother’s vocal solos. Participating weekly in Sunday School, Church services, and Bible Study, and providing music for special services in churches around the area was the norm. The impact this made on life for me is beyond measure - and still today, I rate it high above what television and other entertainment has to offer. For me, being involved in meaningful activity far outweighed being a spectator. And it still does!
There was never a question about whether we would be in attendance at the Church services and activities. It was a given. That belief system, that acknowledgment, that life-style of putting God first in the family plans permeated our daily life and became the belief, acknowledgment and life-style of my next generation, — and the next. And now, two generations later, my heart is filled with joy as I see my daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren actively involved in the services and many activities of their church, — and I humbly bow my head and say “Thank You God.”
Building a Family of Faith is ‘caught’ — not ‘taught’.
Share your experience with me at
Building a Family of Faith
Saturday, May 31, 2008
