One of the attributes that make a strong family is sound values. Values are what undergird a family to shape its members into sociable beings. When we look around in our society and the world at large we cannot help but conclude that there is a form of decadence concerning values. Thanks to those families that fight valiantly to uphold good strong Christian values. I am not talking about the new-age values. I am referring to the good old grandmother's version. Values that make honesty a virtue; the kind of values that make prayer both an attitude and a virtue; some other virtues are hard work, service with commitment, generosity and patience. Throw in some hospitality, then finally top that off with a generous amount of love.
Let's concentrate a little bit on responsibilities. Notice the word. It literally means
responding to your abilities. God has endowed each of us with abilities that are just
waiting to be unleashed. Think about the maple tree or the rubber tree. The liquid content in these trees are just waiting to be tapped. In fact if no one releases that fluid building up
inside of those trees, the trees will explode. Those trees have latent abilities which must be set free. Imagine the endless possibilities of maple syrup and rubber. What if they were not tapped? When we refuse to release our latent abilities we do an injustice to ourselves and to other human beings who need to benefit from our abilities.
One way in which we can release our abilities is through voluntary work. We must be reminded that we excel in doing voluntary work when we have a clear sense of who we are and who we represent. Who am I? I am a social being living in community, made in the image of God who has endowed me with gifts to share with others, not for my own self aggrandizement, but for the fulfillment of other people's needs. I am going to respond to the God-given talents inside of me. I am going to build on them so that I may be better able to serve. We can never feel a sense of fulfillment if we do not respond to our God- given abilities.
Let's look at responsibilities from another perspective. In order for families to maintain
their function, each member must exercise his/ her responsibilities. There are rules in
every family. Even the seemingly antinomian family has rules. Rules help us in the quest
for survival and are there to protect us and preserve the structure and function of the
family. Some family rules directed to protect youngsters are; do not drink alcohol, nor take any form of hard drugs; don't keep friends that have no positive sense of purpose in life, don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today; show respect to everyone and live up to your responsibilities.
Youngsters who do not act responsibly enough and abide by these rules find themselves in trouble. Alcoholism and drug abuse have now become pandemic. Families suffer from the estrangement of their members who are involved. Sometimes a teen may miss his/her own graduation as a result of alcohol poisoning - not only that, many valuable lives are lost as a result of drunkenness and being high. A night of drinking and getting high may lead to aimless wandering and eventually to kidnapping and death. How about being responsible enough to preserve one's self? In addition, those who do not live up to their responsibilities make life more challenging both for themselves and others.
There are some parents who leave the discipline of their youngsters to the baby sitter, the school and the television. How real is that? The responsibilities of parents to children as well as to their spouses are endless. Responsible parents guide their children in the right way. “Train up a child in the way he should grow and when he is old he will not depart from it.” I admire those parents who make it their business to find out what their children are involved in, who their friends are, what they watch on television and what music they listen to. They can be easily influenced by these factors. Therefore in order to give them a sense of focus parents need to get them involved in extra-curricular activities. Encourage their involvement in church and in community service. Give them alternatives so they have no time for drugs, laziness and depression. By getting involved they will develop a sense of meaning in life. They will also learn how to be community- oriented and will develop strong personalities, a sense of industry, responsibility and other disciplines.
Service clubs remind us of our responsibilities as a family. Its members do not seek their own selfish gain but seek to care for others most times unknown to them. To do voluntary work is one of the highest good because voluntary service is done out of love and love is the highest good. It takes a dedicated, purpose-driven people who love human beings unconditionally to give of their time, talent and resources to people without remuneration. Sometimes people may even be ungrateful but you give anyway. Your acts of charity are driven by unconditional love. Many people I know have benefited from the medical care, scholarships, after school care, adult day programs, education and much more services generated by service clubs. I am sure that their works of charity and dedication help to transform people's life.
In giving of your time, talent and resources you are cultivating a sense of wholeness in the wider family called the community. I have seen where charitable groups grow and expand encompassing a wider community and responding to more and more needs. As your network broadens so may your faith in God as well as your resources and abilities. Continue to uphold the values and virtues that are directed to the uplift of others realizing that your gifts were given by God for you to share with others. May God abundantly bless families and community groups that promote good values and acts of charity.
