Thankful for God’s Blessing of Family!

As I write this devotion on Tuesday, March 10, God’s gift of family is on my mind.

First, I am taking family time in Helen, Georgia. It is Spring break for schools in Florida and in Alaska. My brother Stephen reserved a nice VRBO home for the extended Rockeys while he is on break from teaching. Stephen and Lori, and my sister Martha and her husband, Mark, and Kathy and I, had planned to spend time together just enjoying each other’s company, and enjoying the opportunities in North Georgia. When my daughter Mary heard about the trip, she decided to join us. And now that Mary is engaged to Brandon Holmes, they have flown to Florida during their spring breaks and so all 8 of us are staying together in this home. It is a BLESSING!

To add to this family time, Mary and Brandon have asked me to perform their wedding on June 13 in Alaska. Mary and Brandon also requested that I lead them through pre-marital counseling, or preparation, even though this surprises my friend Dr. Rick Armstrong, who has practiced Christian counseling for over 20 years. So, this morning Mary and Brandon and I secured a private room in a local restaurant and ate breakfast while we looked at God’s plan for marriage, while we talked about their Prepare-Enrich Inventory, and as we planned their ceremony. The privilege of talking about God’s plan for marriage and family with my own daughter and her fiancée brings God’s gift of family even more to my mind.

On top of all this, I have been teaching a Bible class at First Lutheran Church on the book of Ephesians. Last Sunday, March 8, we studied the last 34 verses of Ephesians 5. We read God’s instructions to wives and husbands through St. Paul. “21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. . . 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, . . 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” (Ephesians 5:21-22, 25, 32-33) Our Lord gave marriage as a gift in creation. God has a plan of the healthiest way for his children to live with this blessing. Ultimately, God’s children submit to one another as they seek to grow in His gracious, saving love for us, through Jesus.

This coming Sunday, March 15, we will finish the study on Ephesians. We will start by reading Ephesians 6:1-4 which discusses the part of family which children and parents play in families. “1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.’ 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Children obey parents. Parents raise children in the ‘discipline and instruction of the Lord.’ So, in the sometimes difficult relationships between husbands and wives, or in the relationships between children and parents, our Heavenly Father’s plans can make these relationships into a blessing.

One more occasion brings the blessing of family to my mind. Today, March 10, 2026, is the 70th birthday of my wife, Kathy. For 70 years she has lived as the Lord’s child, following Him and blessing others. And, for almost 49 of those 70 years, Kathy has been my biggest earthly blessing!

We talked in Bible class on Sunday, March 8. I pointed out that many people today do not necessarily agree with God’s plans for family, or marriage. My response to today’s attitude was a number of questions. “Do you believe there is a god, who is Creator and Lord of all? Do you believe the Bible is God’s Word, and true? If so, when you read a verse which causes some questions in your heart and mind, how will you respond to the loving truth and wisdom of God?”

I know that not all people have been blessed with positive family experiences. Nevertheless, we are children of the heavenly Father. God’s plan is to bless His children through earthly families.

Thank you, Lord, for your blessing of family, and for my wife, Kathy! Thank you Lord, for the blessing of Your family, the Church!