The “Model” Family

They live in the house you wished you owned. They drive the cars that you think are the most stylish. They wear clothes that are hip and always in style. Their kids go to the best schools and (of course) are always at the top of the class. Everyone in town knows them and thinks they are just the perfect family.

…or the model family.

But they aren’t.

(At least, not necessarily.)

In my mind, the “model” family may or may not have a trendy lifestyle. They may or may not have a big income and newer possessions. They may or may not have overachieving kids.

So, if you don’t have to have those things to be a model family, what does it take?

Living out your faith.

That’s really it. Some of the best “model” families I know have nice houses, but there’s nothing all that “stand-out” about them. A lot of them drive cars that are older, and some barely have any money in savings.

But if you watch them, you’ll see Christ living through them.

Instead of trying to mold your life after who has the best “stuff,” look for the families that are using what they do have to the glory of God.

Their house may not be super fancy, but they have people over on a regular basis, so they can get to know them and develop deeper relationships with them.

Their cars may be older, but those cars can almost drive themselves to the church building, and are often seen in the parking lots of hospitals and nursing homes, and in the driveways of other people who are sick or just needing a pick me up.

They may not have a great income, but they never take God out of first place with what they do have.

Their kids may not always make straight “A’s,” but those kids are learning what it means to be faithful to God, simply by opening their eyes at home.

They may not have a great big TV set with channels too numerous to count, but they have learned to entertain themselves in lots of ways, including just spending time with the neighbors.

People need these kinds of models. Your children need these kinds of models.

Aren’t you glad that you don’t have to make a ton of money or have all the newest and nicest things to be the “model” family?

What is your family modeling?

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Photo credit: Marco Lazzaroni on Creative Commons

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