What is a family?
Linda Soller | Aug 20, 2012
How do you define a family? Is it a group of people related to each other that share common goals and interests? That might be one definition, but it requires that you next define the word “related”. Must the individuals be blood relatives to be a family? I don’t think many people would agree to that. Most people define a family based on their own personal experience. Often definitions reflect the norms of our society at that specific time. I know my definition would have been different when I was a child than it is today. I watched shows like “Leave it to Beaver” and “Father Knows Best”. In those shows about families the Dads went off to work each day in a suit. The moms stayed at home wearing dresses and pearls as they cleaned, cooked and generally took care of things. All families were not like those on TV. Today it would be hard to describe a typical family, and that keeps life interesting, sometimes confusing, but interesting.
One of the things that I love about stories from the Bible is how they are so relatable to our present day’s circumstances. The Bible is filled with a variety of families. I am particularly fond of the story of Naomi and Ruth; theirs was a family of an older woman and her two daughter-in-laws. They found themselves all that was left of a once larger family unit, facing difficult challenges. How would they obtain food, where would they live, what would be their future? Times were difficult and even harder for three widows. No matter where they lived it would be foreign land for at least one of them. Finally Naomi and one daughter-in-law, Ruth, struck out for Naomi’s homeland. It must have been a difficult decision, but they had each other, their family.
Sometimes I think we feel like our problems have never been faced before. Times are difficult for many people in the world today. It can be hard to imagine that anyone could really understand the challenges we face. Naomi and Ruth most likely felt that way too, but they stuck together, supported each other and kept their faith in God. This week as you drive down the road, go to the pool, even watch TV; be mindful of the families you see around you. Think about your own family. Love, support, and faith brought Naomi and Ruth through difficult times and they can do the same for you! Have a great week :o) Linda