Our Tumbling Family
If you enjoy this or it resonates with you, consider supporting me as an independent writer and thinker by sharing it, becoming a paid subscriber for just $6/mo, or making a purchase from my store. Thank you and enjoy.
Our son, who got money for his birthday and Christmas this past year, was determined to buy a rock tumbler once we got back to the United States. Almost as soon as our plane touched down in DC he started asking to be taken to purchase one. Well after about a week, we finally made it to the store and his dream was fulfilled.
It’s a very simple machine that I must confess is very cool. I can see why he wanted one. The starter kit came with a bag of rough cut rocks and gems to tumble that immediately put the machine to work. After several days the rocks were starting to become smooth and beautiful.
I still find it fascinating how rough and unattractive rocks can become smooth and beautiful through the simple process of being tumbled together in water and a little grit.
We sat down this morning as a family and spoke about the importance and role of families and our membership in them. The family unit serves a similar purpose and creates an environment not unlike a rock tumbler, a place where imperfect individuals, working within a framework, can have some of their rough edges removed to reveal something amazing.
As a family of seven, we have a range of personalities and preferences, along with different stages of cognitive development. We also have different talents, weaknesses and wants. All this variety means that we do our fair share of tumbling over one another in our home and family.
There are days when it feels like we are making zero progress, like I and we are failing as a family. But upon closer inspection, I can see in my own life how being married and having children has figuratively tumbled me around.
Tumbling into my wife and children has done much to remove and remedy my rough edges. I am far from a polished Gem that could sold at the local farmers market, but I can say with confidence that I am heading that direction. I am a much smoother and refined version of myself today than I was on the day we got married.
I think this refining quality is one of the reasons why God places us in families. One of the purposes of life is to learn, grow and become like Jesus Christ and families provide an ideal setting for us to achieve these outcomes. Families provide ample opportunities to develop patience, love and selflessness. To also practice kindness, mercy and forgiveness.
Of course we don’t overlook abuse. But take heart in the imperfections of your family. They might be the very things that get you to heaven! Maybe that child that vexes or perplexes you is providing the exact opportunity you need to knock off a rough edge. Maybe your spouses weaknesses are to help you and teach you to become strong. Maybe an obnoxious sibling will be the very thing that polishes you ready for heaven.
Tumbling isn’t painless or pleasant, but I am slowly learning to be grateful for the imperfections so evidently present in our tumbling family because they are refining and purifying me.
Book Club
Starting February 1 I am starting an online book club where we will read one non-fiction book each month and participate in weekly online discussion threads where we can share our favorite parts, insights and ideas for application. Hope to see you there! You can view the reading schedule below, to participate in the weekly discussions, you’ll need to become a paid subscriber. Thank you for supporting me as an independent writer and thinker.
Store
Thank you for supporting me as an independent writer by making a purchase and spreading a positive message.
