Family

A speaker at church mentioned Ozzy and Harriet as an example of American parents. Upon noticing the blank stares coming from the audience and noting he had just "aged himself" he asked: "What would be a couple nowadays?". Someone was quick to mention Jon and Kate. Gross.

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was a sitcom based on the real-life Nelson family which epitomized 1950's family life and the nuclear family. The ideal family propagated by the media included a hard-working father of integrity who honored his wife and who helped guide his sons through the difficulty of adolescents. While I understand that this is far more ideal then real-life I simply want to point out that the prominent picture of American family life shown in the media was actually what the Bible intended. Love, leadership, and a commitment to integrity and doing the right thing.

Jon and Kate we're married when they were in their mid-20's, college educated and financially stable. However, if one were to watch the show (and trust me...I love this show...those kids are precious) they would see a nagging wife and a passive husband. There was little teamwork witnessed between the couple. Now after only about a decade of marriage they are getting a divorce. There are now 8 children under 10 who live in a broken home. Jon already has a new girlfriend (who is only 22 by the way) and a NYC apartment a state apart from his 8 children. The divorce also came after months of speculation of both Jon and Kate's infidelity. This was the couple that came to mind for what American family's are...sick.

Is there any hope for our generation?

This weekend I got to stand in my best friend's wedding. The man she is marrying (Seth) comes from a beautiful family. The reason for this is so evidently their devotion to God and submission to the way God designed families. The were constantly serving each other and it was so clear that Seth's father played an integral role in leading their family and did it through seeking God. His mother and father were affectionate and it was clear that their children looked to them as a model of relationships. Seeing this family and understanding why they were the way there were gave me hope for our generation.

That hope comes from Christ. Yes, American families are broken mainly because people are broken. If we turn to Christ to cover this brokenness and seek His will in our life I think marriages and families still have a place in this world.

Someone asked once asked me "Why would you want to wake up next to the same person everyday for the rest of your life?" They thought the idea of marriage was trapping and limiting. I beg to differ. I found this writing in my journal...and I have no idea where it came from...I think it was a random forward sometime but I think this sums it up:

"Why? Because when you say I do it’s a vow that means forever. Because marriage is honored by God, created by God, and is a beautiful union between two people that love each other with genuine love. Why would I want to wake up to that person every day? Because I wouldn't be able to live without his smile. Because I don't think I could go on without his encouragement. Because his character makes me sit back in awe. Because I would forget how to laugh without his humor. Because his patience is as deep and wide as the sea. Because when I'm in the room I'm the only one he is looking at. Because he loves to grow in knowledge and wisdom. Because he loves children and they love him. Because he has a superman complex and wants to save the world. Because he is a servant of others and shares the love of Christ. Because his eyes say more then his mouth. Because his laugh is the best sound in the world. I could go on but I'll end with this--because love lasts forever. So as long as I am living, that would be why I want to wake up to him everyday for the rest of my life till the day I die. Because as the Bible says "Now abides these three: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love"

I think that is a picture of what it's meant to be...nothing about looks, money, sex, or similar hobbies. All about character, God, and love. I pray my generation would be full of people willing to step up and live a life devoted to God that gives hope to the idea of family.