Raising a family to weather the storms

A grandmother was visiting with her only granddaughter. One morning she heard her granddaughter singing. Wanting to create some memories of this trip, Grandma brought the little girl over to the piano and began to play and sing. After some time the little girl gently placed her hand on Grandma's knee and said, "Grandma, let's let the piano sing this time."

Families in all their uniqueness and peculiarities are the most precious and complicated gift from the Lord. Proverbs 11:29 warns, "Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind." In days when troubles seem to compound, how do we protect and flourish the most precious gift of our household?

The advice from Proverbs to grow a household is that we do not bring it trouble.

These ancient words advise you to lead your family by not stirring them into a frenzy of confusion and frustration, creating feelings of powerlessness. That will bring you nothing.

This past weekend our region was troubled by the stirring winds that knocked out power and brought down branches. Bringing trouble to a household has the effect of tropical-force winds. It stirs everything up and leaves a mess.

One of the greatest challenges facing our nation and families is the issue of energy. Many sources of nonpetroleum-based fuels continue to be developed and applied to our ever-changing energy needs. One such source is wind power. Wind power is driven by the kinetic energy of wind blowing across a turbine.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, "The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity." The blades spin in the wind as it blows across them but they never capture it. No matter how hard you try you can never put the wind in a jar.

Families are to be built, not torn down. They are not to be stirred, but raised to stand during the strongest storms. The simplest things in the most complex of times build families. Turn off the TV, have dinner, take a walk, sing a song and attend worship together. Build your family.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father and serves as the associate pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jackson. Read more from him at www.robhurtgen.wordpress.com.