God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First Family

Recent events in this journey of life have me reflecting on family a lot. Often, it seems, there are things I want to do – things I ought to do – things I could do – but all get pushed aside when family issues become critically important. It’s then that I realize it’s all about choices, and family comes first.

When our children were babies, my husband and I made the decision that I would be a “stay-at-home” mom, and we have valued that decision – even in financially stressful times when it might have seemed that the right thing for me to do was get a job. We got through those times, and our boys are all grown up. Now often we miss the little people they once were, but we have no regrets, and we are so proud of the wonderful young men they have become.

Recently I have so appreciated having the time and being able to do some things that I believe are within the range of talents the Lord has given me. Yet, even now, I find that I have to work at keeping the appropriate balance in the different areas of my life. I am still a homemaker, although I no longer have to change diapers or drive to sports practice. I find usually that with a bit of creative scheduling, I can fit in the things that I don’t have to do, but I truly want to do – such as blogging.

But then there are the times, such as now, when all such scheduling pretty much goes right out the window, and survival mode kicks in. Having the time to get the laundry done and the meals cooked feels like a luxury. Now, much of my time is spent just sitting, watching my own mother as she stares at pictures on the wall of her grandsons, and tries to remember who they are. Or, watching as she tries to follow along with the activity director who is helping her create a special craft. My simply being there, smiling and nodding at her, telling her the craft is pretty, holding her hand – seems to make her happy, even though at times she introduces me as her sister.

I confess, I sometimes worry that the time will never be there to do the things I want to do – even the very things I have come to believe the Lord wants me to do – because of the other things I also want to do and believe the Lord wants me to do. I am not only praying for patience, but thanking Him for the patience He has already given me, and putting it into practice in my obedience which is by faith. I can only do each day so much, and so I have to trust Him with all of this. So, once again, I am putting family first, and in so doing, I keep the Lord first in my life.

1 Timothy 5: 4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

… and verse 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
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God had a Plan, Thoughts on Being First Christ, the Firstborn

I’m still studying the word, 'first.' Isn’t it something how one small word can have so much depth? One of the most important aspects in this topical study has to be that Christ Himself is the Firstborn, (see verses 15 and 18 from Colossians 1 below) and (verse 18) that He will come to have first place in everything. Sometimes the scriptures are so powerful that it seems nothing else needs be said. Still, I would simply like to emphasize some things. Verse 15 – He is the image of the invisible God. Verse 16 – by Him all things were created. Verse 17 – He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. Verse 18 – He is the head of the body, the church. Verse 19 – all the fullness dwells in Him. Verse 20 – all things are reconciled to God through Him, and through the blood of His cross.

Colossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.

17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,

20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

I am overwhelmed by these scriptures. If anyone ever has any doubt about just who the Lord Jesus Christ is, these scriptures are great reassurance that He is Emmanuel, God with us!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]