Before my twin sons were born, I remember having the thought “How could I love another child as much as I love my daughter?” It even seems laughable now when I reflect on that concern. I heard someone jokingly say once, it is less a matter of having a favorite child than deciding who is the “least” favorite based on how they have been behaving on any particular day!
Sure you could say that this child takes more after me and the other more after Dad, but they are all unique characters and the ultimate blessing. I can’t think of anything at the moment more exciting than enjoying who they are and watching them grow into the unique individuals they will become.
No family is perfect and every family has its challenges. For instance, in the story of Esau and Jacob, we see examples of blame shifting, reversed roles, manipulation, and deception within the family. We also see favoritism between parent and child. Despite all of the scheming in the family of Isaac and Rebekah we also see that God continues to be gracious and keep His promises.
The following “Family Member’s Bill of Rights” are some reminders of the fundamental ways that we can love and respect each other within our families. Although they may appear pretty basic, these principles go a long way in helping us to build healthier families and communities. – Dr. Jennifer Cox
