Whether we know it or not our families are a classroom for God’s character traits, including forgiveness, mercy, justice, grace, trust, loyalty, and love. God put us in families to teach us how to be more like Him. As we care for our aging parents, we learn to serve as He served us in the person of Jesus Christ. As we raise our children, we learn to love as He loves us as His own children. As we carry out our marriage vows, we learn to sacrifice self as He sacrificed Himself for our sins. As we stand by our brothers and sisters in trials, we learn to care for their needs as our Father cares for us. Through the family, God also teaches us about His covenant. God works through families.

Over and over in scripture we see His hand touching generations to bring His plan to fulfillment; Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and even through the genealogy of Jesus Christ. God also uses the family to teach us about community. In walking through life with our families, we share the good and the bad. We care for one another, pray for one another, and learn the value of standing together in tough times as well as rejoicing in good times. Scripture says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). So inevitably we will wound one another or let one another down in some way. But in our family, we can

hold each other accountable and walk through forgiveness and repentance. No matter our family situation, God can use it to teach us more about who He is and to help us rely on Him.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for what You have taught and are teaching me through my family.

Help me to continue to grow in love, joy, peace, forgiveness, self-control, kindness, and

goodness. Help me and my family to glorify You in all that we do. Use us to teach

another family about Your true love so that they may want You as their Lord and Savior.

Help us Lord to love what You love and do what You would do. Amen.