I’m a little late posting these spring photos of our family surrounded by High Park Toronto’s cherry blossoms. It’s summer now (although it doesn’t all to often feel like it in Toronto yet). I suppose I was waiting for the perfect post to come to me, now that I had finally shared that huge bit about Tristan in my last post. I started writing on a few different topics, but none of them were exactly right as a follow up. I realized yesterday what I need to say.
I’m grateful for my three beautiful guys, so sweet and wonderful, but being a good wife and mom is really hard sometimes. Especially in the face of difficulties. It is rewarding if you strive for it, however. Every family has some struggles. No one would guess that behind the scenes of this photoshoot, Jeff and I had a heated argument! Family. Yet the foundation of our society is family and it’s critical to care for it, no matter how difficult it can be at times. I’m watching a lot of families I care about crumbling and struggling the past few months. I personally believe there is an increased attack in our society against the nuclear family… Politically, socially, in entertainment and even in the spiritual realm. We need to pray for and care for families more, and above all our own. The downfall of every great civilization in the world began with the downfall of the family.
We have a responsibility to our greatest treasures, our children (and theirs), to work toward the preservation of the family. This may mean something as simple as forgiveness in our home. It may mean getting help. It may mean giving help. Maybe it means speaking up or getting politically involved. Whatever it means for you, the family is sacred and everything in our power should be done to preserve it. Healthy people come from healthy families.
For my part, I work hard to be the wife and mom God wants me to be and I do it for Him, regardless of what goes on with my family. I’m fortunate I have a man who loves God too. We pray for each other. I am also getting more politically involved, in support of protecting family values! A little more vocal too, as you can read.
So here is my family. Imperfect. Jeff and I argue sometimes. There’s drama. We’ve sought counselling to strengthen our relationship. But we’re doing alright, you know? We are committed to each other. This life is but a breath. We keep our eyes focused on the prize of the high calling of God through Christ Jesus. It keeps us on track. It’s real power. It sustains us, brings us joy, and guides us when we are not being too selfish to pay attention. God helps us to think of one another more and less about ourselves. He shows us how these little humans watching us (our kids) are being formed by every word, action, and decision we make. I personally don’t know how anyone can carry such responsibility without God! To me, it’s like being cut off from your life source. He so desires to have a relationship with every single one of us. We were created for this. We all need to talk to Him more. He is health for each of us and every family.
