What were you known for in your family? Were you the smart one? The athletic one? The sickly one? The talented one? Each of us plays a role in our own family system. If you want to find out what your role was, spend some time observing a family gathering. Everyone will try to get you to continue to play your traditional role. If you don’t, the system will become unsettled. Murray Bowman observed this as he developed family systems therapy. His insights make sense to me.
Seth was the “second chance,” and the “new start” in his family line. He was born to Adam and Eve after their first son killed their second son. When Cain moved off to exile, they suddenly found themselves in an empty nest. This must have been excruciating. Remember what Eve said when Seth was born? “God has granted me another child in place of Abel” (4:25). Sounds like Eve may have doubted she would have children again. But God was gracious. Her expression of gratitude became contagious in the generations that followed. Seth fathered Enosh. Then people started to call on the name of the Lord (4:26). This all began with Eve giving thanks to God for a child.
In our families, if one person will step up out of the emotional chaos and choose to follow God, it may shape the generations that follow. Seth doesn’t kill a sibling. Neither does Enosh or Kenan or Mahalel or Jared. Each of us can take responsibility for ourselves. All of us can pray. When we do, the tide may begin to turn in our families. What will you do today? Give thanks. Call on the name of the Lord. Watch him work in your family.
