....family

Have you heard about the dad who wanted to take his family on a summer road trip? It was lengthy—from their home in Alabama to California.He got them all excited! Meticulously, they planned every detail: the roads they would take, what they would see, and where they would camp . . . the trip was arranged nearly to the hour.

But . . . just before the trip, the dad informed them that the press of business would keep him tied to his office; they would have to go on without him! Reluctantly, they drove away, disappointed.

However, the father had already arranged to be off work in order to surprise his wife and kids. He had planned a flight and car ride so he could be at the exact spot where he knew they would pass by on that day heading west. As he saw their station wagon approaching . . . he stood on the shoulder of the road and stuck out his thumb.

“Hey! That guy looks just like . . . DAD!” Thankfully, mom didn’t drive into a ditch when she realized the man standing on the roadside really was her husband. After picking him up, can you imagine how much fun they had the rest of their trip? Talk about a lifetime memory!

I just love that story. Here was a dad who wanted to be remembered for more than just the basics. He cultivated fun! Fun is one of the pillars the Bible instructs all of us to pursue while building a strong family foundation. In fact, I urge you to build that foundation on these three pillars:

FUN

FAITH

FORGIVENESS

Sadly, the family has gone “out of fashion” these days. Families are often considered boring, not worth the time, toil, stress, and tears. Some would even say, “Happiness lies elsewhere.” Wrong! The family is THE God-ordained institution of any society. The family is His gift to us for our delight and wellness. But a family’s health and happiness do not happen automatically. Each member must cultivate it using God’s wisdom and drawing on His strength.

I stand on God’s Word, commending to all who will listen that your family is valuable. Fun, faith, and forgiveness are worth all your efforts! Jesus is with you to help you build or, when necessary, to restore your family’s foundation.

adapted from crswindol's