We Are Family

I consider them more family than friend.

1 Timothy 5:1-16

Reference: Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. (1 Timothy 5:1, 2 NIV)

Explore: There are some people in my life that I have formed such a special bond with, I consider them more family than friend.

My childhood friend has known me for so long that I see her as more of a sister, who understands the ins and outs of my family.

An ex-boyfriend’s mother took such care and concern for me that I viewed her as a surrogate mother.
An older couple from a church I attended have given me so much encouragement that I see them as a close uncle and aunty.

I am blessed with an incredible family, and yet this “extended” family makes me an even better person.

Application: There are some incredible people in our world, who bless others whether they are related to them or not. They view humanity according to 1 Tim 5:1-2.

If everyone addressed others as they did a well loved relative, then our world would be a different place. There would be no wars, no crime and no borders. People could still have a difference of opinion but it would be shared with love and grace.

To be honest, it’s hard for some people to act in this way towards their families, let alone strangers. But I can guarantee that if we showed more respect and less defence, then our world would start to change drastically.

Prayer: Lord, may I pour forth grace and respect in every conversation I have today. Amen.

Who is someone in your world that you need to start addressing with more love and respect? How can you start to do that today?

1 Timothy, family, Friends, grace, love, relationships, respect