God's Calling Needs Family Support

Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

It's been a beautiful weekend here in the South. Snow has covered every dip and hole. It's drifts were deep and children waded through it like ocean waves, stumbling, falling and getting back up to go again. Snow, the purest of all weather, quiet and settling. It slows us and causes us to look at our families and friends through different eyes. We spent Saturday morning on the hill at the church watching the children sled. I provided the cookies and hot cider. When those ran out, everyone came to the house for potato soup and sledding down the road. Those too chilled to be out could sit by the fire and watch the kids out the window. No traffic dared traverse our hill unless they too, were coming to sled. There were no arguments or anger or frowns. No one rolled their eyes or threw a tantrum. Pure white snow, the perfect picture of peace and the covering of all sins.

It's a little sad that there was no snow in Noah's day, no peace and settling, no quiet, no covering of sin. It seems the sons of God (Christian men) married the daughters of men (worldly, lost women). Genesis 6:5 says that every imagination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. We just think people are wicked today. Surely everyone still has a good thought or a kind intention once in awhile. But how did the people of Noah's day get to the point of only having evil thoughts? God seems to indicate that the problem lay with whom they chose to marry. "They took them wives of all which they chose." The  sons of God were allowing non-believers to raise their children. Does that sound familiar?

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, Why? He had a Godly wife. She supported him in his calling and helped him raise Godly children. Their Godly children also supported and helped in Noah's undertaking. They too had chosen Godly wives who supported them. Support seemed to be the key to being able to follow God's calling. We often think of God calling individuals, but that may not actually be the case. Here in the beginning we see the prime example of families who did not support God's calling verses the family who followed God together.

God has a purpose and a plan for each of us. He has placed us in families to support one another.
What has God called your family to do?
How are you supporting your spouse, your children, your parents in fulfilling God's purpose?
Perhaps you have been blessed with a crippling snow. Take this season to re-engage with your family.
Reason together and let God's forgiveness reign covering all sin, and making them white as snow.

May God bless you with family support for His calling,

Gail

Hey Kids:

What special purpose does God have for your family?

How can you support your family in that purpose?

Make a list of things you can do and post them somewhere as a reminder that you are helping your family serve God.

Here are some suggestions to get your started:

1. Think of ways to save time in the mornings.

2. Think of ways to prevent arguments with siblings and parents. 

3.Think of ways to help Mom and Dad with work around the house.