I had a dream last night. I was out with my family. We were all together, my husband and two daughters. My daughters are grown up now but in this dream we were going to book a birthday party.

The owner of the venue asked me to prove my identity before she would accept the booking. For some reason this made me very cross. I argued that it was not necessary. I explained that I had booked this venue many times before and never been asked for my I.D. I even explained the “regulations” to the owner and insisted she was mistaken. The woman would not budge. No I.D. No party. My daughter pleaded with me as she really wanted the party and so in the end I provided my I.D. and we booked the party.

I then dreamed the exact same thing again but this time the owner wanted I.D. from all the family to book the party. She explained that if only I had I.D then only I would be able to come to the party. My I.D was not enough for them. I was the only one who had any I.D with me. My family did not come prepared with any I.D. They had I.D but had left it at home. Again, the woman would not budge, no I.D then no admittance to the party.

As a follower of Jesus we may have families who are not walking with the Lord or who are not yet believers. I believe God is encouraging us to recognise that our families are still able to enjoy God’s blessings through us being with them. We pray and intercede for them. We bless them and provide God’s influence in their lives. They benefit from our relationship with God. We are a channel of God’s blessing to them. God wants us to freely give to them as we freely receive from Him. Not reluctantly but with joy that they too can experience Gods love and blessings through us.

However, one day they too will have to give an account for themselves to God. It will not be enough on that day that they are part of our family as they need to be part of God’s family. Jesus is the door and they must enter God’s kingdom that way. They must accept Christ. Their identity must be in Him and not through us. We can show them the way but they must make the decision for themselves.

Until that day comes though God is reminding us that our influence and effect in our family lives is greater than we think. Whilst we are here then let us continue to pray for them, for their salvation and bless them. To show them God’s truth. His ways. To point them to Jesus. Let us be the husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, uncles, aunts etc. that God wants us, calls us and equips us through His grace to be. God in you and present in your family because of you.

Blessings to you this day.