Polk's Paragraphs

There is a lot of talk these days about "family." We are inundated with information and ideas about everything from family restaurants to family radio to family vacation spots. People talk with nostalgic longing for times when families were stronger, more secure and stable. Everyone wants to be on the side of the family.

So what’s the problem?

We are perhaps the richest, most affluent society the world has ever seen. We have opportunities to do things and go places that simply weren’t available to those who came before us. We have many labor-saving, time-saving and energy-saving devices that make life easier, yet studies consistently show that we are spending less and less quality time together as families. In spite of our modern "conveniences", families today rarely have time to sit down and eat meals together. Parents spend less and less quality time with their children. We are too busy with our individual activities to be with those we love the most - our families. What is happening?

For years the most common bit of advice I am given is, "Be sure to spend time with your children. They will grow up too quickly, and you will wonder where the moments went." I know this advice is right. I can’t imagine looking back and wishing that I’d spent even more time at work; more likely I’ll wish I had spent more time with my family. My opportunities of today will be lost unless I make a focused effort to take advantage of each one.

Surely there is at least some wisdom in here for all of us. The family is important; we already know it so let’s make this summer a time to focus on how God wants us to love and nurture our children and spend quality time with our families. Let’s see what He has to say about that fellowship and our commitment to those we love. A fresh focus on family will be good for all of us.

The same wisdom we find good for families will hold true for our church; aren’t we also a family? What might happen if our enriched focus on our personal families flowed over into a deeper commitment to the important things in our church: love and nurture, fellowship together, quality time, commitment to loved ones and God? The same advice that is good for the Polk family is good for our FUMC family: "Spend time with your church family. It will all be gone so quickly, and you will wonder where the moment went."

I know that is right too. How many of us will look back over our lives to wish that we had spent even more time at work? More likely we’ll wish we had spent more time with God and our church family. Summer’s opportunities for fellowship and service will be lost unless we purposefully become a part of them.

Take advantage of each opportunity to love your family more. Committ to looking for opportunities to love your church family more. Never forget: family is important!

~Jim