BE the change you wish to see in your Family - Celebrate Being Perfectly Imperfect

Be the change you wish to see in your Family

Celebrate BEing Perfectly Imperfect!
Be Unique & Be a Celebrator of Others’ Uniqueness

"For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb."
[Psalms 129]

Families come in all different shapes, sizes, and personalities,
whether they are biologically connected by blood or not.  
Please note that, contrary to the world's beliefs, there are no perfect parents.
Each child, however, is created and designed by the perfect Father in Heaven.  
In this imperfect world (due to sin), God wants us to grow by trials, and experiences
as well feel joys and happiness.  
And, most importantly:  He wants us to grow closer to Him.

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We are all perfectly imperfect.  
Q:  Why?  
A:  Because we were not created in a factory to be exactly alike.
A:  Because God is God and we're not.

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When you Google "FAMILY" the definition reads,
"a group of one or more parents and their children living together as a unit."
 
Q:  How is it that you can have two or more children who grow up in the
same family become to be so different from each other? 
A:  Because we are each uniquely designed and not like any other!

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
[Psalms 139]

If you knit, like I do, you know that
every stitch is intentional and has a purpose to the whole creation. 
That creation becomes a part of you because you invested precious time and effort into creating it.  God, too, designed every cell of your being, making you unlike any other.  

You are wonderfully designed!

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Reminder:
​Jesus = 100% God & 100% Man = Perfect and Sinless.

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"But now, this is what the Lord says --
he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you."
[Isaiah 43:1-2]

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No family is perfect -- remember, "progress, not perfection" ;)
Every family is riddled with good intentions, but
we all fall short with sinful thoughts and actions.  That is why
we need to redirect our focus on The One who is All Powerful and Perfect and who can
BE the change we wish to see! 
As they say with enthusiasm in the Baptist churches, "Can I hear an AMEN?!"

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One of my favorite movie families is in "Shazam!"  
Remember the darling couple who open their home to foster kids?  
Their unconditional love for each kid was unforgettable in my mind.  
They had such a loving, welcoming, non-judgemental and accepting heart for anyone who walked through their door.  
Like Jesus, they accept and love on everyone,
no matter how the arrive or what hang ups they may have. 

"There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear,
​because fear has to do with punishment."
[1 John 4:18]

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
[1 John 4:8]

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"If we were all the same, what a boring life this would be."

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Digging Deeper
As parents and as family members we are to not only love on and accept each other unconditionally, but we are to carry each other's burdens.  That means to listen to your family member's problems and pray for them that Jesus takes their hand and guides them through this season
so they can be rid of the pain, guilt, anger or shame and
lift those problems/burdens off their shoulders and give them over to God,
to be free and fearless in His Love.

If you come to God, He will help you!  But you need to reach out to Him.  Call out to Him right now and tell Him what burdens you carry and ask Him to lift them and guide you to healing and peace.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
[Galatians 6:2]

Then, as parents, pray to Friend Jesus, who says:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
[Matthew 11:28]

“...As I have loved you, so you must love one another."  
[John 13:34-35]

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BE
Challenge

BE the change you wish to see in your family
BE Unique
BE a Celebrator of Others' Uniqueness
BE Love
BE Accepting
BE Perfectly Imperfect
BE Free
BE Fearless
BE Trusting

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Family Prayer
Challenge

Have you seen the saying:
"A family who prays together, stays together."

Sandi and I totally believe in this and have prayed with our kids and husbands since they were little.  Our families are far from perfect, but then, there is always something interesting to talk about in our "*Blessings and Bummers" over dinner ;)  It's absolutely fantastic to see how we all grow, fall and mature in this life.  Be the change you wish to see in your family prayer time.
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* [Reference blog:  BE - DEDICATED - FAMILY - Childrens Prayers - Jan 23, 2021]

Family Activity Jar
Challenge: 

The next time you are at dinner together, give everyone three pieces of paper and have each person write down a fun thing to do together on each piece (it could take about an hour).  Once you have your three ideas written down, put the three pieces of paper in a jar/hat/bowl/whatever.  On a Friday, have someone (and change it up each week) reach into the jar and pull out the next fun activity for your Saturday or Sunday to do as a family.  

EX:  Little Suzie might want to do a painting craft together - have everyone vote on a theme, like for example, football.  Little Dougie might want to play wiffleball in the street with everyone.   Middle Schooler, Alden, may want to play video games with everyone (yes, Mom, try it!  Get into your middle schooler’s world).  Teenager, Duke, may want to take the dogs for a walk all together.  Teenager, Christie, may want to have a game night.  Dad may want to watch a family movie together.  Mom may want to make cookies with everyone (you’d be surprised how many college-aged kids don’t know how to cook!).  Grammy may want to teach you all a card game she and Grandpa used to play.


Trust me, I understand a busy household and the many activities that can take a family member away from the family (eg sports).  The point is — the person who wrote the activity is being heard, validated and affirmed in the family.

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Closing Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
I will admit it's not easy to like every family member you have blessed me with.  Help me to discover how to love on them, to understand their differences and to encourage them.  I tend to forget that you made me uniquely and I am perfectly imperfect because you want me to grow.  Only You are Perfect.  We are made in Your Image [Genesis 1:27], but You are God, and you created me to be a human being.  Lord, I ask You to help me not to be fearful, but to rest in your Love for me - a Love like no other.  Help me trust in You, that my uniqueness is a reminder that I was beautifully made and I was created for a bigger purpose than just myself - to glorify You in all I do!  Guide me to Be a Celebrator of Others’ Uniqueness, celebrating everyone’s diversity, talents and personalities.  Help me love on and accept those family members who are hard to love -- I give this burden to You, as I cannot handle it all myself.  Help me to trust You, Lord, that You are greater than I, and You can handle my problems/burdens -- if I ask.  I am asking and trusting in You today with all my prayer requests. 
​In Your Heavenly Name, I pray,
Amen.



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References
Life Application Study Bible
You Version- Bible App
​Etsy - MasonJarCraftsLove.com
Written by: Christie Lynch
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