The Voice of Zion January 2025 - Home & Family Articles --
Families are gifts from God, lovingly shaped by Him over time into the form and number He intends for each of us. Every member is placed within a family by His design, forming bonds of love and connection that are meant to nurture and sustain us.
Family relationships hold significance, as they are where we learn to love, forgive, and support one another in a reflection of God’s care for us. Through both joys and challenges, families become a unique blessing.
In these writings, believers from the Ishpeming, Mich., congregation share their perspectives on family life and relationships.
Our Children Are a Gift
Megan Kuopus
As a mother now to five children, life has gotten easier in some ways and harder in others. I find much support in going to church and spending time with other believers.
As a younger mother to a growing family, it’s easy to lose sight of the blessings that come with children. Little reminders of how much of a gift these children are can come from different, and sometimes unexpected, places.
I have found it easy for me to accept each new child and to get excited to meet each new one. I do, however, get anxious about how I will cope with the addition of another little one, with life only seeming to get busier. I wonder whether I will have enough patience for my children. I worry about doing something wrong or not being a good enough mom. My kids deserve to have a happy, patient mom, and some days I feel guilty for not being able to be the best parent.
I find a lot of support in talking to other believing moms. Those who are in similar stages of raising kids share understanding and offer solidarity. When I visit with moms who have older kids or who are done raising their kids, I find a lot of encouragement and reassurance. They assure me that despite feeling I might be doing it wrong, I’m still doing a good job.
In our small congregation, I’ve experienced that many people, no matter the age or whether they’re parents or not, have reminded me time and again that these children are a blessing. The elders’ eyes light up talking about them and watching them. Teenagers will often entertain them for a moment, and singles enjoy giving and receiving attention from the little ones.
Seeing others’ appreciation for children’s joy and innocence is a good reminder that they are such blessings. My father-in-law never fails to remind that these kids are precious gifts from God. He often remarks on how happy they are and how much happiness they bring.
As a mom, the most important support I receive is the support and encouragement of my husband. Striving to have a good relationship and friendship with my spouse contributes to an overall sense of happiness for all in our household.
I pray that God would continue to show me all His blessings. I thank Him for all ways He reminds us what a gift our children are.
Navigating Family Relationships in Homeschooling
Krista Haapala
In 2020, schools across the country shifted to remote learning during the pandemic, and we seized the opportunity to explore the waters of homeschooling. The material sent home by the school was heavily screen-focused, so we chose to seek out our own curriculum for our three school-aged kids. Today, five of our seven kids are now school-aged, allowing us to continue to experience the joys and challenges of homeschooling.
Each day is unique, and yet we try to follow a general routine. The younger kids start their schoolwork first, followed by lunch and outside time, after which the older kids begin their lessons. Our oldest attends online classes, completing her work nearly independently and asking for help when needed.
During the warmer days of early fall, we prioritized time outside and getting together with friends. Now that the weather has turned colder, we have shifted to indoor activities like reading and educational games alongside schoolwork. It brings a smile to my face when I see my three-year-old find a notebook and bring it to the table like the big kids so he can “do school.” It’s equally wonderful to see the older kids share what they’ve learned with the younger ones, often putting their own unique interpretation on a lesson that has been recently taught.
One of the challenging aspects of homeschooling is that our family is together almost all day, every day. However, there are occasional opportunities for each to get out by themselves for cello lessons or home economics with Grandma. We are always learning how to take time for ourselves, whether by going alone outside for some fresh air or finding a quiet spot for a calming activity or to read a book. Sometimes the togetherness can feel overwhelming, leading to increased tensions. In these moments of conflict, we can find reconciliation in the gospel, preached in Jesus’ name and blood.
Our homeschool journey has emphasized to me the importance of close relationships, not only between immediate family but also with friends and extended family. There are a few other homeschooling families in our congregation, and it’s been good to visit with these moms about different homeschool methods as well as strategies for navigating chaotic days. Friends, both young and old, offer fresh perspectives on our challenges. It’s comforting to remember that God sees and understands everything, and despite our shortcomings, He cares for us.
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater” (Isa. 55:8–10).
Raising Children Together
Emily Hill and Sarah Laiho
How have having babies and raising families at the same time changed your mother-daughter relationship?
Being able to raise children at the same time is special for us. We have even more in common now that we are both mothers. We understand and can relate to each other better because we are in similar phases, going through pregnancies and helping each other during the newborn period and raising children.
How do you support each other at this time of your lives?
We care for each other’s children when there are appointments. We also visit each other a few times a week, sharing meals and helping each other with projects. We feel it’s important in general for people to help each other, especially during the extra-busy seasons of life – pregnancies, the newborn period, and during times of trial and illness. We have also felt the support from believers in our congregation.
What blessings or trials have you experienced in this situation?
Even though mothers are often surrounded by children, motherhood in itself can feel lonely at times. It’s nice to have each other to talk to, to ask for and receive advice or to just be a listener. We lived a few states away from each other up until this past year. We now live within a mile of each other, and we both feel fortunate that we can support each other on a daily or weekly basis.
What special experiences have you had?
A special time was when I, Emily, was able to travel to another state to be with my daughter Sarah, Tommy and their first child for several days after she was born. It was meaningful to be able to help their little family during a time of transition, similar to what my mother did for me when Sarah was born.
Discussion questions:
How can spouses and parents reflect God’s love in their relationships with one another and with their children?
What does it mean for parents to view their children as gifts from God, and how might this perspective influence parenting?
How does recognizing God as the Creator of all life shape our view of children and family?
What role does forgiveness play in maintaining healthy relationships between family members?
In what ways can faith help us navigate challenging decisions about life and family?