Parents are responsible to love and care for their children. This is a never ending responsibility, as children are being exposed to a toxic social environment. Parents need to work hard at creating an atmosphere in the home that counters the pressures of the internet, pop culture and destructive images of beauty, wealth, sex and violence. However, God does not leave parents floundering with this responsibility. He has provided clear instruction in the Word on how to love and provide a safe haven for families.
In Ephesians chapters five and six the Apostle Paul challenges husbands, wives, and children to follow the example of Christ in all relationships. Paul explains what following the example of Christ would look like when applied to family relationships. Husbands are to love their wives like Christ loved the Church. Jesus gave himself up for her. Wives are to submit to their husbands as they submit to Christ and we must submit to each other out of reverence for Christ. Children are to honor and obey their parents. Paul also makes it clear that parents should not exasperate their kids. Paul also says we are to love, feed, care unite, respect, train and instruct.
In May, the congregation was asked to think back to their growing-up experience, and to share one way in which their home was a safe haven. These are just a few of the responses:
- “I was always welcome, and my friends were always welcome in my home.”
- “We spent a lot of time together.”
- “My parents loved the Lord.”
- “My parents worked out their differences.”
- “I never had to question my parents’ love for each other.”
- “I was allowed to learn from my mistakes.”
- “I could share openly with my parents.”
- “We ate meals together.”
- “We were always taken care of and had lots to eat even though we were poor.”
- “There was a lot of physical affection in my home.”
- “We were encouraged to use our imagination.”
- “We prayed together.”
- “My dad took me with him places.”
- “We went to church together.”
- “I always knew what to expect at home; we had a predictable routine.”
- “My home was a place to escape.”
Everyone’s growing-up experience is different. I hope that our homes are safe havens for all family members. We can learn a lot from the Word and from each other to make sure that our homes are a safe haven!
Pastor Doug
