Concept of Family Part 2  

Good Morning! Last week we began a discussion about the “Model Family.” I remember the “Leave It To Beaver,” television show. Do you remember Walt and June Cleaver? They were model parents. The house always looked clean and the children were always immaculate. I don’t ever remember any quarrels in the household. It probably sounds like most of our homes!

             Last week we discussed “selflessness” as a key ingredient in building a Christ-centered home. Jesus set the example when He prayed, “All I have is yours, and all you have is mine,” (John 17:10). In the relationship that Jesus and the Father have there is no selfishness and no competition. Today’s let discuss “respect,” as a key ingredient in building a Christ –centered home. You can feel respect as Jesus spoke to the Father. “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you.” (John 17:25). Or, “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name.” (John 17:11). One can see as well that Jesus knows He has the respect of the Father.

Jesus saw what the Father had done for Him and how He loved Him and felt the Father’s respect. He felt believed in and esteemed by God. In our family relationships we should imitate this and show other great respect. We need to know we are valuable and have potential. No one thrives when they are demeaned or ignored. People grow and accept new challenges when they sense others respect their lives. How much respect does your spouse feel from you? How believed in do your children feel in their relationship with you? When people are going through hard times they need to feel the respect of those who are close to them, for it is when no one else believes in them that they will find it so easy to give up completely.