Every family in the world is looking for a recipe for success.
Every family in the world is looking for a way to be happy, content, and valuable. In our ever-changing society the pressure is on to find any way possible to make our families “work”. We all want a successful family life. We are looking for answers to all the questions of being a “parent”. We are seeking ways to have a loving, caring, committed family. We want our families to make it. Everyone is tired of the label “dysfunctional family”. People just want this thing called “family” to be functional again. What is the recipe for success? What can we do?
I remember as a child that my parents wanted what was best for me in all things. When our local pediatrician told my parents that I needed to take a multi-vitamin they bought me the regular ones that tasted terrible. I would hide them or pretend to take them. Then the maker of multi-vitamins began producing “fruit flavored” ones. I loved them and took them regularly. The fruit flavoring allowed me to get what I needed and to like it. Fruit Flavoring had been around since it was invented by James Van Zandt Blaney, M.D. in 1844, but “the recipe” was only applied to multi-vitamins over a hundred years later.
The “fruit flavored” style of leading our families has also been around for many years, but is not something that people use. It is a great way to see your family “work”. In a world gone wrong, we have a chance to do what is right. For the Christian believer, the Holy Spirit in you is this “fruit flavoring” Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and, self-control, placed in you at conversion by the Holy Spirit, is the “fruit flavoring” that allows the family to function smoothly. The overflow of God’s Spirit in you “flavors” your parenting and your family with a workable recipe.
This blog-site is the result of years of seeking to be a “flavored” family of faith. Cheryl and I (Garry) have had the honor of being parents of 3 children. This is quite a blessing and has allowed us to continue to experience and grow in our lives as a family. So, one can see our parenting journey is well traveled.
We have sought to put down in print what we have experienced as parents and marriage partners. We have seen these principals work and at times struggled at best to know just “what to do”. Some great leaders in parenting with their writings and teachings have influenced us. It has been a great journey of faith and we feel honored to have been chosen by God to walk this path. Influence counts! Whether it is being influenced or influencing another, our lives are God’s way to influence the world. We all are called to impact the world we live in. For most of us, that begins with our family. And whatever help one can get from others, well, we all want it.
I thoroughly enjoyed your posting. As indicated, the state of family is in complete disarray. According to Enrichment Journal, the divorce rate in America for first marriage is 41%; second marriage 60% and third marriage 73%. Statistics show that families are falling apart by the destructive cycle of divorce, fatherless homes, increase of single mothers, and the sin of violence, abuse and drugs/alcohol. All people, believers and nonbelievers, are struggling to survive in a society that bombards us with images that dysfunction is “normal” when it’s the last thing God has ever intended for his creation—the family.
ReplyDeleteI think your suggestion of “fruit flavored” style of leading families is excellent! As you stated, it’s the Holy Spirit that places the sweet flavor of love, joy, peace, faithfulness and self-control in our hearts. As believers, we must eat daily from the tree of righteousness to create and sustain health environments for our families to grow and thrive in. As you wrote, “The overflow of God’s Spirit in you “flavors” your parenting and your family with a workable recipe.” I agree with you 100%. God is not A answer, God is THE answer. We must let God rule and dictate our marraiges, parenting, and families.
I wish you and your wife continued success with this blog. I’m sure your marriage and parenting experiences will bless all those that read your writings!
Dr. Baldwin all I can say is wow. I was sincerely moved by your analogy of a family seasoned by "Fruit Flavoring" . I have been blessed to gave a wonderful family but we had dysfunctional issues due to not allowing the holy spirit to lead and guide us by the fruit of the spirit. I have been enlighten to share this informative blog to friends and family who could use a dose of "Fruit Flavoring". Dr. Baldwin I'm very blessed to have u as a mentor and I will be inspired to lead a guide my future family buy "Fruit Flavoring". Mrs. Baldwin thank you for encouraging Dr. Baldwin I. Writing this blog because my community really needs the divine counseling.
ReplyDelete