What is the Real Problem - the World or the Family?

Just in the last month or so I've given a great deal of thought to family and what a family should look like. I know there is no such thing as a perfect family, flawless parents, or angelic children, but as I look around me in different circles, whether at the "world" or in the realm of Christian families, I have been so disappointed and saddened by what I see. I see children who disrespect their parents, parents who don't see children as a blessing from the Lord, fathers who forsake their duty to shepherd and lead their wives and children, mothers who don't value time with their little ones, and kids that don't know how to interact in an adult world or with anyone outside of their peer group. Though it is disappointing to see any dysfunctional family, it grieves my heart to see Christian families nation wide falling apart. As Christians we are called to be different, set apart, and bear the resemblance of Christ. Parents are commanded to "train up [their] children in the way [they] should go and when [they] are old [they] will not depart from it" (Prov 22:6). Clearly this is not happening in our culture. Setting rules and standards, teaching kids about God, scripture, responsibility, honesty, relationships, roles as men and women, respect, etc. is so far from most parents' minds it is no wonder we find ourselves in a rebellious, dishonest, and self-centered culture.

Many of you have probably seen the movie Courageous that came out October 2011. The message was to call out fathers to be courageous, protect their children, take a stand in their families, teach their children to love the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength, lead, and fight for their families. It is so important that fathers take their roles seriously. I know it is a hard job, no one said it would be easy, life as a Christian isn't supposed to be easy. It is a father's duty and responsibility to lead his family biblically. He is accountable to God for the way he led or didn't. And again, I know that there are no perfect fathers out there, but I see a lot of fathers who aren't even trying. Now, I don't want anyone to think that mothers don't have a role to play as well, because they certainly do! Mom's are extremely influential in their children's lives. I know. I have a mom. =) But dads are the ones who are commanded to lead their children and their wives, so the wives should be following in the husbands footsteps and carrying out his mission when he is not at home. When men fulfill their role as father and husband, leader, protector, provider, and shepherd, there is a great likelihood that we will see a revival in younger generations.

I cannot express how exceedingly grateful I am for my parents. They are so amazing and wonderful and I pray that someday my marriage will be as strong as theirs and that I will follow in their footsteps. My siblings and I have been blessed beyond what we deserve.
My father is a man of integrity who strives to lead his family according to scripture, who makes wise decisions, provides all we need and abundantly more, selflessly gives of himself for his family, loves his wife unconditionally, faithfully works hard both at his job and at home, and most importantly loves the Lord with all his heart.
My mom is the most amazing woman I know and I owe most of who I am to her, her love, faithfulness, and determination. She is passionate about things that matter, she always made it clear that she loved to have us around, she brought us along side her and taught us to love God, she spent hours upon hours teaching us at home, not to mention how much of her limited free time she spent researching curriculums and planning out a purposeful course of education. Mom has never stopped encouraging us to seek God's purpose for our lives, to live for His glory in all that we do, to put the interests of others above our own, to serve with a cheerful and grateful heart, to do anything we do with excellence, and to find our interests and pursue them with passion as unto the Lord. She is not one to make a rash decision or agree to something without learning all she can, talking through the pros and cons, and prayerfully seeking God's direction.
I think one of the best things my parents did for us was to teach us what was right and why. They consistently gave us biblical reasons for their decisions and now looking back at times when I didn't understand, I can see how wise they were and I am so thankful God gave them discernment. When people saw that my mother enjoyed her "cute little kids" some would say, "just wait till they're all teenagers!" My parents decided then an there that their kids were not going to be like other 'teenagers' of our culture and I cannot thank them enough for the commitment.

Family is so important. It is the family that makes or breaks the culture. If things are not right in the family, there's no way things are going to be right out in the world. It all starts at home.