Years ago God planted a seed of vision in my heart for a godly family. Since then I have continually asked God to help me raise a family that would stir the hearts of others to embrace the ways of God.
A peaceful family in chaotic times A loyal family in factious times A diligent family in slothful times A serving family in selfish times A harmonious family in discordant times A humble family in haughty times A loving family in self-centered times A worshipful family in irreverent times An obedient family in rebellious times A wise family in foolish times A Bible-loving family in Bible-rejecting times An honest family in defiled times A simple family in complex times A giving family in selfish times A content family in materialistic times A respectful family in irreverent times A gentle family in harmonious times
The world we live in is very hostile to that vision. The jarring reality is that vision alone will not produce a beautiful well-tended garden. Weeds will overcome the plants and choke off any possibility of fruitfulness if I am not unmerciful in attacking them. The family of my vision will have to be lead by a father who rises with the sun every day to seek the character of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I remember a summer evening a few years ago. We spent the evening with close friends. Fireflies hovered over the moistening lawn. Children laughed and danced and played barefoot in the grass. We talked about things that were sacred to us and we ate cold, sweet watermelon. As I enjoyed the treat it occurred to me that a piece of melon like that was nothing less than a miracle of God’s creation.
Melons like that don’t just show up in your garden one day voluntarily. They have to be planted, and cultivated and watered and tended and harvested and transported with watchful care from the seed to the roadside stand. Our families will demand nothing less if we hope to achieve even a fraction of our God-given goals for them.
By God’s sustaining grace I will never give up my highest vision for the family God has entrusted to me. I pray that God will remind me of that vision every time I pillow my head and every time bird songs herald the arrival of a new day.
