A family is a unit. Everyone has a role to play. The bible tells us this. This is why so many parents feel guilty about holidays; deep down, they know they need to be around their little ones. Instead, they spend more time with people at work. I used to be like this. Monday to Friday, working with other people. Ignoring my children. I would say things like they are doing ok. But, really, how could I know that if I was spending more time with OTHER people? My wife was not doing well for years. Our time was always cut short by my spending more time with other people.
A family needs to be united. A family is a unit, not a strange grouping of gender or age. The Bible tells parents to inculcate his will in their children at all opportunities. It sounds burdensome until you try it. It opens their eyes and yours as the parent. It becomes fun and enjoyable.
I now see what my father was missing. I can see why my mother seemed so on edge. She was worried about us; she knew her husband had not made the truth his own. Without that, the old personality is more dominant. Those traits, those ugly traits, start to spread. In time, it spread to all of us in different ways.
I openly defied and disobeyed my mother. She would say, "I will tell your father." Eventually, my disrespectful attitude grew to the point where I responded, "So what?" I did not have a fear of Jehovah, so how could I have a fear of my own father?
Now, I am developing and learning to fear Jehovah. To fear displeasing him. I have not seen his powerful acts with my own eyes. I hope that when I do, the fear I will feel will be rooted in love, awe-inspiring, and trying to do things that make Jehovah happy. So, when I see that power displayed, I will not be quaking in morbid fear, I will be shaking due to the grandness of Jehovah's power. In my heart, I will know that this thing I am seeing will help me to teach my future children to love, worship, and fear Jehovah!
I now know this is not possible with a united family loving and fearing our heavenly father Jehovah!
/tata
