"I Will Bless You" (Ephesians 5:28-30)

In my office at work, I have photographs of my family. As I was gazing at the photographs of my family,  I thought back to the years when I was single. I had prayed to God that He would bless me with a godly woman and family.  He answered my prayers in a dramatic and abundant manner! But what if God showed me the photographs of my family, long before I ever met my wife or ever imagined children, and said, “I will bless you with a wife and children. And someday, you will hurt all of them.”

I would have scratched my head in confusion, pointed at the photographs, and asked God, “What do you mean? Why would I do something like that? Look at this lovely family! This is what I have wanted for so long! Why would I hurt them?”

And yet, this is exactly what happened. I am blessed with a lovely wife and two adorable children. But my sinful nature, pride, and selfishness have hurt them so many times. I have taken the blessings and promises of God and twisted and distorted them to satisfy my desires. Only by continually seeking God and asking for His forgiveness, have I been able to become a better husband, father, and the man that He wants me to be.

In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body.
Ephesians 5:28-30 (ESV)

I love my family. God answered my prayers and kept His promises to me. I need to keep my promise to Him by honoring my wife and family, loving them as Jesus Christ loved the church.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.