family

I often use the word family when I am discussing the way relationships should work

Recently a good friend asked me to share a little more about my thoughts

Here goes

Webster offers this definition to get the discussion rolling "a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head : household. A group of persons of common ancestry : clan. A people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a common stock : race. A group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation : fellowship."

I find it more helpful to describe than define

Families have a leader or leaders, but they are to be a servant leaders, modeling the key family traits more than talking about them. Less words, more action

A leader's purpose is to help bring every other member to maturity by understanding who they are, their gifts, their issues, their bents. He/she shares the vision of loving one another

There is a relationship between every member. All are dependent in some way on each other. There is interdependence. One succeeds, all succeed

Family unity is a big thing. Perhaps the most important trait. Every member should know each other very well, closely. What are their gifts, personalities, interests, concerns and issues?

Every member has a responsibility to be reconciled with each other. The biggest impact the family will have on others is how they truly love each other-and when you are not together as friends, this love is tainted or is pretend

All families have a certain presence wherever they are-and other people observe how they get along with each other and how much they love each other. The love and friendship may be so enticing they would do anything to be a part

Families also travel and when they do, they will have a positive/negative impact on those they meet. Some would say this is like missions. The goal is not the destination, or even the place they go, it is how they are a group wherever they are. Others notice their actions and interactions way more than their words

But, what if the goal of the family was a task…any task? Think how that would change the dynamics. Getting it done would be the purpose, at whatever costs. Members may have to change who they were just to finish a task so…the parents or others would be impressed. Or what if you succeeded in your part of the task and others did not do their part, so your (hard) work failed? You might even feel the leader or parent was just using or manipulating you with some sort of agenda. At some point, would you really want to be a part of a task oriented family?

Any thoughts you have on family?