What thoughts and feelings come to mind about family? Good,
bad or indifferent; your family is part of you and you are a part of them.
Family isn’t always related. I’ve dared to
step into another parent’s territory taking in and loving their children as my
own. In return, I have deeply appreciated friends who’ve loved me like a sister
or daughter when my sister and mother were many miles away.
I had a very enlightening moment last
November, when my daughter had her first child; there is nothing like the entire family
getting together to support one another in accomplishing a goal. In this case,
it was a miracle from God and we couldn’t wait to be introduced to a beautiful baby
boy.
The whole family embraced the pregnancy by:
v Tagging along to the doctor
visits to see the baby on the sonogram
v Celebrating together when we
found out the sex of the baby
v Guessing who the baby would look like
v Consoling him while rubbing momma’s belly and talking to him
v Being there during labor and timing contractions
v Trying to make her comfortable
v Staying up all night at the
hospital
v Assisting with the delivery
v Preparing meals
v Feeding the baby
v Babysitting
v Arguing
v Getting along
v Having fun
As I reflect (something you do when you start having grandchildren), I find it crazy that I never
asked for help when I was raising my children. What was I thinking? Thank
goodness I now have a completely different view on how challenging and rewarding
it is to raise children, while trying to balance and maintain other relationships. I’ve decided to make it
a point to do my part by being there for my family. It will be an honor and a privilege
to be an integral part of their lives.
Can you find strength and encouragement in
your family? If not, maybe you need to be the encourager or the person your
family looks up to. There is no greater reward than your family.
It takes a whole
village to raise a child.~ African
Proverb.
