Families not an invention of human society, but part of God’s plan

While on vacation in Florida, I received an e-mail from a member of St. John, informing me about her dad’s health. Her dad had been in the hospital unexpectedly, suffering serious complications from blood clots. Because this health scare had come on so quickly, even though her dad was now doing better, the young lady wrote me these insightfully true words, “Definitely puts in perspective what’s important in life. Time with family is precious!”

Kathy and I scheduled our vacation around a reunion of the first college at which I prepared to serve God and His people as pastor. Nevertheless, a side-benefit of the timing of this reunion is that we were also able to be in Florida for two family occasions. First, my brother James’ daughter, Elizabeth, graduated on Sunday afternoon, April 30, from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in special education. We were privileged to be part of the 12,000-plus people gathered for this event. “Time with family is precious.”

In addition, on Tuesday, May 2, James’ wife, Martha, underwent surgery for a glioma, a brain cancer. Together with others, our whole family attended a party at James’ home on Sunday evening. All my brothers and sister and their spouses, along with my dad, were gathered together. The desire for this time was to focus on the blessings of Elizabeth’s graduation rather than on Martha’s coming surgery. However, we were also all thinking about the upcoming surgery, and we each shared wishes with Martha for God’s blessings through the coming trial. Kathy was even able to give Martha some “Tigger” pajamas and a blanket she had sewn so that after the surgery Martha can “bounce back!” Yes, “time with family is precious!”

Another blessing of this time is that Kathy and I have been blessed to spend time with my dad. Living in Alaska, we don’t see him as much as my other siblings do. But, while in Florida we got to spend some time with my dad most every day. Dad will be 90 on Sept. 22, but he attended worship on Sunday, April 30, as he usually does, only this time we joined him. Then he walked the steps to the second level of the O’Connell Dome for Elizabeth’s graduation. Later that afternoon and evening Dad was present for the celebration at James’ home and spent time with each of his five children. Yes, “time with family is precious!”

There are many verses in Scripture teaching us that family is the plan of God for His people. At the beginning, as God created, He said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." (Genesis 2:18) In the Psalms we are told, “God sets the lonely in families” (Psalm 68:6). Even as Jesus was dying on the cross, He cared for His mother by giving the disciple, John, responsibility to watch over her. “26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ 27 and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:26-27) God also instructed the early church through Paul about family relationships and responsibilities. Among other things, Paul wrote, “1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother"— which is the first commandment with a promise — 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:1-4)

Families have their difficult times as well as their times of blessing and support. But, the plan of our Lord and Creator is that families are to be a gift to us from God to help in our journey through this life.

All of this points us to our larger family. There are also many verses in Scripture that describe our relationship with God and with His children as a relationship of family. (E.g., Galatians 4:4-7, Hebrews 2:10-11) But, perhaps no words are more descriptive than the opening words of the prayer that Jesus taught us, “OUR FATHER.” Because God is Father, we are His children! Because God is OUR Father, we have brothers and sisters,including Jesus. Even those with no living human relatives, as created and redeemed children of God do have a family in God’s church. And, “time with family is precious!”

Among those in God’s family who have been especially on my heart is David Grosz, whose recent discovery and bout with lymphoma has shocked us all. Yet, we have a heavenly Father, caring for us. Along with our Savior and brother, Jesus, the members of God’s church are seeking to support and care for David and family. Even while I am on vacation, David is daily in my prayers. And, in the last couple of weeks two of David’s children have traveled to Palmer to spend time with their dad. You see, families are not an invention of human society. Families are God’s plan! Our earthly family, and our heavenly family. And, “time with family is precious!”

Jonathan Rockey is the pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer.