Building Community, Building Resiliency

“Hello, nice to meet you. Will you be my emergency contact?” This strange interchange happens so often among Military parents, it’s a common joke. Torn from all our previous networks at the last duty station, we are faced with having to ask strangers to care for our children in the case of an emergency.

And while it has been proven that the more connected Service Members are the more resilient they are in tough times, Military service still separates them from Military family members and other loved ones, regularly.

Christian families are not exempt from these challenges and have the added commitment of living out God’s words. We rely on God’s help to build community and resiliency as we do what God commands us to do: love God and each other.

Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.

Colossians 3:14 (CEV)

Relying on others and building community may conflict with our independent nature, but it is vital to our well-being as well as our obedience to God. It takes thoughtful and diligent effort to build relationships.

Home is the first community in which our love for God and others should be demonstrated. Our children need to know we love them, not for what they can contribute, nor for how obedient or successful or skilled they are, nor for how perfectly they do things. Otherwise, they may get some funny ideas about what makes them acceptable to us. They need to know that our love for them is stronger than their failures and that even though rebellion has consequences that hurt relationships, repentance will be met with forgiveness and renewed closeness.

Our children must be taught to value people. They need to see us build relationships by inviting people to our homes and being hospitable to them, making it a priority to spend time with them, showing compassion, and praying for them. They should observe us working at staying in touch with friends and family members and giving to people in need. They need to see us go to church regularly, not just for what we will get out of it, but for what we can give and who we can serve.

When our kids believe they are a valued part of the family of God, they can rebound more quickly from life’s troubles. They are part of a caring community that will be there for them when times are tough. When they know others love and care for them—that they have people to turn to—they will be more resilient.

PRAY

Lord, thank you for family and the people you send into our lives. Help us to love them. May we build community and strengthen each other. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Questions: Who are the important people in your life? How can you show them you are grateful for them this week?

Apply: Invite another family over this week! Order pizza and watch a game, play a game of soccer and eat ice cream, or cook a nice dinner.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand their Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Colossians 3:14

Leviticus 19:18

John 13:34