“Keep loving at home, and after they leave home, they will want to come home to be loved again and again.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 14, 2025
And now a word to you parents. Don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice. Ephesians 6:4, TLB
Home is a greenhouse to nurture and live out faith and love. Like seeds planted in rich soil, the home is where we first learn about God’s love, often through the actions of those closest to us. Praying together at the dinner table, sharing struggles, laughing out loud, and learning to get along help families learn to love well. That’s faith in action, modeled and nurtured. Love grows through small acts—listening patiently, forgiving quickly, and serving one another selflessly.
When parents model Christlike love, children learn to reflect it. Love replaces angry outbursts with calm conversations. The home becomes a training ground, preparing us to share faith and love in the world. Learning to resolve conflict creates a foundation for a lifetime of wise living when modeled at home. When siblings extend grace, they practice living out mercy and peace.
Our home experienced a season with four teenage daughters, so we had our share of heightened emotions. During those moments of elevated feelings on the verge of unhealthy expressions, we sometimes invoked a 24-hour rule to cease discussing a particular topic until we all had time to settle down and think more clearly. Surprisingly, as we circled back the next day to discuss, hearts and minds were calmer, ready for a productive conversation. And sometimes, the matter of concern resolved itself with a good night’s sleep and time to process. Working through conflict at home is a loving way to provide a process and tools to learn to disagree well.
Love at home works and prays for win/win solutions instead of win/lose. My wife Rita and I are learning to divide household responsibilities based on interest and skills. She cooks. I clean up. She washes clothes. I fold (my folding still struggles, ha!). She manages the finances. I work hard to stay within our budget. Win/win at home is when all parties contribute and are fulfilled. What about when a child asks for extra privileges? Consider rewarding her with more freedom when she is faithful to the little things. Being on time. Cleaning up her room without being asked. Serving with joy. Win/win solutions help everyone feel heard, respected, and loved.
An encouraging word to parents. Be patient. Pray. Trust God. Children go through seasons. You start as the hero; somewhere in the teen years, you become the enemy, and when they leave home and experience life, you become a wise friend. This anecdote attributed to Mark Twain sums up this on-again, off-again dynamic: “When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” Ha! Yes! Keep loving at home, and after they leave home, they will want to come home to be loved again and again.
I’ll close with one of my favorite characters from the popular family movie Frozen: “An act of true love can thaw a frozen heart.” – Olaf. Keep melting hearts as the Holy Spirit warms yours.
Prayer
Lord, help me love my family with patience, kindness, and humility. Teach me to listen, forgive, and serve selflessly, so our home reflects Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application
Consider crafting a family mission statement. For example, Our family’s mission is to love each other with patience, kindness, and grace, reflecting God’s love in our home. We commit to serving and uplifting others, sharing His truth and love wherever we go.
Related Reading
Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Proverbs 22:6; Colossians 3:19; 1 Peter 4:8
Worship Resource
Brandon Lake & Phil Wickham: Love of God
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