The Family- Three Things

As promised, I am blogging on the family, community and church and using the book of Nehemiah for my framework.

When Nehemiah heard the news:  the remnant are in great trouble and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down (Nehemiah. 1:3), he did three things:

1. wept
2. fasted
3. prayed

In prayer, Nehemiah reminded the Lord of His promises.

But if you return to Me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the furthest part of the heavens [even the expanse of outer space], yet will I gather them from there and will bring them to the place in which I have chosen to set my Name.  -Nehemiah 1: 9  

He was praying for the nation of Israel, his people, his family.  What can we learn from this?  Anyone have a member of their family that is an outcast?  Someone who has lost their way?  Are the walls around your home secure or is secularism leaking in the cracks subtly corrupting the foundation?

Most of us don’t see Christmas as a season of fasting,  It is for many a season of plenty.  In children with attachment issues, seasons of plenty:  sugar, TV, video games, company, presents- can bring a season of regression that is difficult for the whole family.

It’s important to gather the family at home, to limit activity, to try to maintain as normal a schedule as possible or you will be gathering your wits from somewhere in outer space.  Weep if needed.  Fast over-abundance.  Pray, remind the Lord of His promises.  Keep it simple.  Rebuild your family. Play board games.  Do a puzzle.  The time you spend with your immediate family is more important than someone else’s traditions or expectations.