HAROLD KELLER

There is a way to raise a family under God’s will and enjoy it all

The moral decay of this country can be directly associated with the breakdown of the family unit. In unity, there is strength. When we divide, a unit becomes weak. Today, divorce is at an all-time high (in the church and outside the church). Abortion has been legal for almost 30 years. Couples live together instead of getting married. Married couples are not having children, or they are limiting children, for selfish reasons. I’ve often said that one of the greatest gifts from God is the people we meet on our journey to eternity. About 13 years ago I met a young man from LaPlace who worked for Entergy (formerly LP&L). He had been married only a short time, and his wife was expecting their first child. We became friends, and I’ve enjoyed my relationship with him and his wife. Their walk with God, their commitment to each other and their dedication to their eight children have been a witness to me and, I’m sure, many other people. Yes, you read it right – eight children – Bethany, 13; Abbi, 11; Ben, 9; Rebecca, 8; Hannah, 5; twins Joseph and Jonathan, 3, and Christina, 1. They are also expecting a new baby in July. I know that some readers are saying, “How can they make it in these times?” Ask them and they’ll tell you that it’s only by the grace of God. The motivation to write this article came to me last weekend. After seeing the Bergerons at a biddy basketball game in which one of their sons played, my sister, Judith, asked, “Harold, Ann and Emile Bergeron are your friends, right? How do they do it with all those kids?” Before I could answer, she said, “They are the best behaved kids I know! No matter where I meet them, they all seem so happy and well-disciplined.” I then added, “And she home-schools them.” “My God!” Judith said. “How does she do it?” I seconded what Ann and Emile say, “Only by the grace of God.” Are all large families a testimony to God? No, only godly, large families. Knowing Ann and Emile as I do, I’m aware that they have many trials as they struggle in their daily routine of nurturing their children to be a light in this dark world. I heard this challenge by a Christian evangelist: “We don’t make the Scriptures relevant. They are relevant. Our job, as Christians, is to point out how relevant God’s Word really is.” Are Ann and Emile living examples that God’s Word is relevant? You bet they are, and that’s why they have been chosen as Get High on Life’s “Family of the Year.” The Scripture that comes to mind for them is I Corinthians 2:9, “…Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group.