My Family
Posted: Friday, October 21, 2011
by John Waddey
firstcenturychristian
In his master plan, the Creator of the race arranged that beginning with the children of Adam and Eve every new addition to the race would be welcomed and nurtured by a family.
In my case there were two sets of grandparents, a dozen sets of aunts and uncles, and a bevy of cousins and even a few second cousins. Being the first child of my parents I got lots of love and attention from them and my extended family. In the 1940s all of my kinfolks lived in the same general area of Middle Tennessee. That meant we could meet at least once and sometimes twice a year for what my grandmother called our family reunion. That meant soft ball for the young men and boys, lots of visiting and talking among the ladies. Some brought their instruments and made music and the ladies treated us to a meal suited for royalty. In addition to our big gatherings there were visits of one family to another that kept our family ties in tact. There were always family gatherings for Christmas.
My mother and father were children of the depression, but they had personal pride and dignity. They did not beg for pity or sympathy. They did not wallow in poverty and blame someone else. They looked for no public assistance. They both went to work determined to work their way to success and they did so. From them I learned the basic lessons of life. Always be truthful. Be industrious and work hard. There will be penalties for misconduct. Be responsible and take responsibility for your actions. When you earn money, save some of it for future needs. Get an education. From my parents I gained my love of reading which continues to this day. My folks built their own house. I was their little helper.
Into my family was born my brother David. He arrived when I was six. With David I learned to share the benefits a family has to offer. Eight years later came twins, Deborah and Darryl. When my mother developed serious health problems during the pregnancy, my parents made a proposal to me. Either they could hire temporary domestic help to care for the house while mom was incapacitated or they would pay me to do the work. That was where I learned to vacuum, mop, cook, wash clothes, iron, etc. When the babies came I learned to care for infants. All of that training has served me well in my adult life.
As I neared adulthood, I took a wife and established my own home. Two years later God blessed me with the first of four daughters. Lourene, Lesia, Rebecca and Rachel. Each of them brought their own blessings to my family. Raising them to a successful adulthood was one of the major goals of my life. Building on the things I had learned in my parent’s home, and working hard to be an even better father, I loved, nurtured and cared for my children. I strove to train them up in the way they should go (Prov. 22:6); to nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). In time my little girls grow up to be young adults and one by one they married. In time each of them added their own children to the family. As adults they scattered to cities far from my old home of Nashville, Tennessee. But a father’s love never dies.
I should mention the four-legged members of our family. There was Ginger the wonderful Springer Spaniel. There was Sugar the lovely German Shepherd. There was Spot the mongrel who looked after us and all the other pets the girls brought home. There was Kink the tomcat who ruled over his extended family on our mini-farm. There was Smokey the Welch pony who kept all of us well entertained. There were others, all of whom blessed our lives and are fondly remembered.
Now, my wife Nancy and I enjoy sharing the joys of life in a retirement oasis in the midst of the Great Sonoran Desert, near Phoenix. When we met she also had a four legged member of her family, a cat named Spot. I was not too fond of indoor pets, but she let me know that she and her cat were a team and went together. I quickly concluded it was still a good deal. Just about everything we do is done together. In a happy family one finds love, peace, tranquility, security, trust, joy and happiness, support, guidance, correction and shared responsibility and much more. That is family life at its best.
At age 16, I resolved to follow Christ. As a Christian I found another extended family that would bring me a multitude of blessings. When Jesus was asked about his family, "he stretched forth his hand towards his disciples, and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is by brother, and sister, and mother" (Matt. 12:49). Around the world are millions of people with whom I share a common faith. Because I have been fortunate to travel and work in 22 foreign nations I have met a multitude of those of other races and tongues who are part of my spiritual family. Here in America I have known thousands more who are my kindred in Christ. With a smaller number, I worship and serve in my own community, we are a congregations of God’s people known as the Church of Christ. As Solomon observed, there are some friends that are closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24). Such friends I have found in Christ.
A good family is the training school for civilized adults. Of families, William Thayer rightly observed, "If well ordered...they are the springs from which go forth the streams of national greatness and prosperity–of civil order and public happiness."
‘Tis tragic that we are living in a day when a multitude of our America’s families are in disarray. Each dysfunctional family is a weak link in the chain that supports our nation. Untold damage is done to the children of those damaged and broken families. May each person realize the value of his family and cherish and protect it. May he or she resolved not to jeopardize his family.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)John, you have done a marvelous work presenting your family and entwined the value of your family(ies) cleverly thruout the document. I read your 'assignment' with an eagerness to learn what someone else had to say. I've always been a stranger to family, so I've spent several decades looking at family from a safe distance. I no longer envy those, like you, who grew up on love and the closeness of family.
I really enjoyed reading your work. Thank you for sharing
Hello Zeke: Thanks for your note. You can build your own family but it is very important that you be careful and selective in choosing a mate. A hasty choice often brings misery rather than joy and happiness. Also I encourage you to let God's people be your extended family. If you would additional information along that line, write me. Right now, know and believe that God is your heavenly father. If you accept Jesus and follow him he will be your elder brother. The door is open and the invitation has been extended. John
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