A traditional family consists of father, mother and children. Or we can simply say father, mother, children and relatives. 

Normally, all the people who live in your home can be called family members. Each individual can define a family by their own standards.  

You can have several families in your lifetime, even several families at once if you choose. Regardless of how you choose to define your family unit; whether it is traditional or unique, your definition is the one that works for you.

Like in any other institutions, we are asked to live in a harmony and with a good relationship with all members of the family.

In Colossians 3: 18, the Bible says: "Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Colossians 4:1: "Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.”

It is a role of every member to create peace or be a peacemaker in a family and in the neighborhood. 

Romans 12:15-18 says: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  

In this book of Romans, we see Apostle Paul moving his readers from theological issues to personal matters. It is interesting that both our Lord and Paul included this area of human relations in the total message of the New Testament.

Families are the ones to make up the Church and government. Therefore, if a family is sick, both the Church and government get sick too. 

I know I am preaching harmony amidst disharmony in some homes; children have become rebellious to one or both of their parents, and here in Rwanda many have dumped their children in Iwawa Rehabilitation and Vocational Development Centre. 

Some parents mistake this place to be a detention facility, but some have discovered the truth. If a parent fails to discipline a child by showing love to the young fellow, they start to scheme how the child can be taken to this center.

This won’t work 100 per cent, although there are many well-trained personnel in such centers. Likewise, children you are called upon to respect their parents and other people in total obedience and submission as the followers of our Lord Jesus commands.

Exodus 20:12, "‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with a promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth’” Honor implies choosing to give respect and care to another person — not grudgingly, but from a principle of love and out of a genuine desire to do what’s right in the sight of God.   

May God bless our families in Rwanda and aboard so that we can have peaceful parents, children and neighbours. Let the enemy not prevail against us. Amen

GOD  LOVES YOU.

Rev. Gatera is the Senior Pastor, Jesus Messiah Assembly Ministries, Kigali, Rwanda