CO-AUTHORED WITH LOUIS: MY 18 YEAR OLD SON

What is your role in the family?

1 Timothy 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever”. 

Fathers need to provide for their wives, kids and relatives, because by not doing so, they are denying their faith, and are worse than an unbeliever. Roles should motivate us to meet certain goals. Faith is a strong belief in values that shape our character. The head of the household in most cases is the father, and is taxed with the role of being a provider. To execute his duties, the father must make this his priority, as a matter of conviction. He can’t profess to be a believer in God The Father, if he fails to meet his obligation as a father in his own home.  Fathers are accountable to God for how they manage the home.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.  In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.  However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband ( Ephesians 5:25-33)”

“Faith is a strong belief in values that shape our character.”

When a man gets married, he becomes one with his wife, as they form a union (Mark 10). It’s a commandment to maintain this unity. It’s the role of a husband to honor his wife, and the role of the wife, to submit to and respect her husband. This is the only way to keep unity and peace in the family. By so doing, they become better at supporting each other; by looking out for the best interest of the other. 

Each playing their role as best as they can, enables the other to meet the needs of the family. It’s a rewarding stewardship that keeps the family together. None is greater than the other, and none is better; each compliments the other. When husbands and wives are unified by love, prayers are not hindered. God works in unity and not division. Just as God the Father, Son and The Holy Spirit are equal in Power and Purpose . As Scripture says, a house divided against itself will not stand (Matthew 12:25). 

7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered (1 Peter 3).

 “God works in unity and not division.”

I believe that husbands should treat their wives, the way they want their daughter to be treated by the man they will eventually marry. This sets an example for the daughter to see what sort of man she would want to marry in the future: as well for the son, as to the kind of man he wants to be. Be a good example to your children because you are the man of the house; a man of great influence.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you (Exodus 20:12).”

 Teach the children, using godly principles, to respect and honor the parents. It’s important for children to honor their parents by being respectful, and doing what is asked of them—their life depends on it. 

 Mothers comfort your children because that is the role that you are supposed to uphold; for God also comforts us. Mothers are to nurture their children with compassion and love. They connect with children in the emotional way that fathers may not be wired to. They are the shoulder to cry on, when children are fearful, have failed and are filled with uncertainty. A mother nourishes with delicious spread and covers with the warmth of compassion.

12 For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream. Then you shall feed; on her sides shall you be carried, and be dandled on her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 66:12-13)”

My roles in life include being a brother, a son, a student, and a Christian.  I hold these roles with very high regard, and try to do really well in my responsibilities. What about you? What’s your role? How would you describe yourself? How do you uphold the roles that you have, in your family? Take the time to reflect on this and how better you can serve your loved ones.