http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s0k9x7BG9RQ/S9B1hrz6bCI/AAAAAAAAAfg/3c7gBKFbeVE/s1600/b1b1_serve_like_jesus_without_verse1.jpg

God teaches me many lessons through my family members.

Do you find this in your life too?   If you aren’t learning lessons from those around you, perhaps you never asked God to show you the motives of your heart.  He is faithful to expose things to us if we are willing to see.

My dear husband:  We married because we were in love, but God has used my husband to show me the ugliest parts of my heart.  The hidden things that only someone THAT close could dredge up to the surface.  I am convinced that our spouses are tools used by God to mature us and break off our selfish mindsets.  Marriage is about serving and THAT is not something our selfish flesh does willingly or easily.  It is in our sin nature to want to be served, but God calls us to prefer others above ourselves.  OUCH.

Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

My Daughter:  First, she helped me understand how much God loved me.  If I could love her with such depths of unconditional love, how much MORE did my Father in heaven love me?   I often have to use self-control where my tongue is concerned and try to teach her by example.   More than anything, God shows me my own childish behaviors or rebellion when I see myself through the life of my own child.

My Parents:  With them I have been forced to face fears.  Fears of inadequacy to manage their finances.  Fears of losing them and dealing with the terminal illnesses in their lives.  Forgiveness, even when it wasn’t asked.  Mercy for those who can’t help themselves.  Compassion, even when no compassion is given to me (due to mental condition at this stage in their lives).  The list could go on and on.  My Mom can demand a lot.  Both of my parents can push me to the edge of myself, but the mercy God has given me is greater.  My love for them is greater.  Love always wins.

Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.

I want to bring joy to my parents, but also to those who go through this life with me.

The best gift I can give anyone is to allow God to change my heart so that it reflects His nature more and more.  That is the best gift any of us can give — a surrendered life.

1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

Do I always serve with a happy heart?  NO.  But I am a work in process …

How do you bless your family?  What are you learning?

I am linking up with Darlene at Time Warp Wife for Titus 2sdays.   Would you like to join us?  Click on her button below:

 Have a blessed Tuesday everyone!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

(Photo credit:  serve)