Multiple Attractions

CORE PRACTICE #33: Recognize that God often brings together different types of people to complement each other and bring balance to a family.

But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. —1 Corinthians 12:17-20

Lauren

One of the great things about living in Tampa is that we’ve got plenty of fun things to do close to home. We can plan a day at one of the sunny beaches on the Gulf of Mexico or visit the terrific Lowry Park Zoo. We also can drive to Busch Gardens right here in Tampa or to Disney World and Universal Studios, which are a little over an hour away in Orlando. All these choices sometimes lead to indecision. Even when we can decide on a beach, an outing, or an amusement park, deciding what to do once we’re there can be a challenge because of the different ages and personalities in our family.

Neither Tony nor I are thrill seekers, to be sure. We’d both be happy riding the bumper cars at Busch Gardens or Dumbo the Flying Elephant at Disney World and then calling it a day after relaxing on a bench with some ice cream.

Jade, however, is bored on anything traveling slower than eighty miles an hour. And while she’s headed toward a certain coaster, Jordan is pulling us toward the superheroes section of whatever park we’re in. In the meantime, the little kids are hunting down the cartoon characters. They like to watch them from a distance and maybe hesitantly head over toward them to have their picture taken.

Maybe.

This is, in so many ways, a microcosm of life. Our family is a collection of interests and opinions, just like the family of God. Individual members are created uniquely. Some like sports, and some like superheroes. Some enjoy thrill rides, and others prefer the bumper cars. Some are delighted to talk theology, while others look forward to going into prisons to help inmates develop new skills.

Our family, like the family of God, begins to function in a godly and productive way when Tony and I value each member’s unique gifts and interests. What Tony applied to his football teams, I try to apply to our family: bringing out the best in each person while celebrating—not covering up—their differences. I want to encourage each child to make his or her own contribution for the good of our family while allowing him or her to grow individually as well.

And so Tony and I don’t get to spend all our time on the bumper cars or eating ice cream. Rather we see the superheroes, figure out who will reluctantly accompany Jade on the roller coaster, and visit with the cartoon characters. In the midst of it all, we want to help our children realize that even if something isn’t their favorite attraction, they need to create time for the activities that are important to others.

Much like we need to do as part of God’s family.

Adventure Application: What are ways in which the individuals in your family are different? Are you making time to watch an action movie with your husband, if that’s his thing? Is he making time to watch a romantic comedy—or your favorite—with you?