"when you run, you will not stumble.” ~Proverbs 4:11-12

“I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.” ~Proverbs 4:11-12

This verse reminds me of family interactions - parent/child, older sibling to younger, aunt/uncle to niece/nephew, and so on. I'd say that most of us would put our family pretty near the top of our list of priorities. "Family is everything" is a phrase you hear often. Family can also be the most challenging thing we face with teens gone astray, family feuds, estranged relationships, financial struggles, health problems, etc.

Even Jesus had family trials. Huge crowds would gather around Jesus.  His family must have wondered why.  Maybe they were even embarrassed.   "When Jesus went home, but again a large crowd gathered there. There were so many people that he and his followers could not eat.  His family heard about all these things. They went to get him because people said he was crazy." Mark 3:20-21

But Jesus didn't react negatively. We see Him going off privately to pray; perhaps He was putting His earthly family into His Father's hands. A great model to follow. God uses familial terms so that we can understand love within a household. God the Father, Jesus the Son. Jesus the Bridegroom. God as a Mother (providing food and drink, as seen in His name, El-Shaddai)

Isn’t it comforting to know that we are God’s children?