2.5 Kids and a White Picket Fence

When a lot of people think about the American Dream, the perfect family, the perfect picture, it's something like: a loving marriage, a couple of happy kids, a little yappy dog, and a big old oak tree in the front yard complete with tire swing and all.  For many of us, though, that's not the reality.

Maybe we don't have a lot of money.
Maybe we have problems with our siblings.
Maybe our parents aren't together.

So where's the real value in the American Dream of 2.5 kids and a white picket fence?
If you look at some of the great "heroes" of the Bible, many of them don't have that perfect life or perfect family.

Rachel's dad Laban was pretty conniving!  He basically almost sabotaged her relationship with Jacob.  At least most of us don't have to worry about our fathers tricking our fiances into marrying our sisters! (Genesis 29)

Joseph's brothers hated him for being their father's favorite, so they sold him into slavery.  That's not normal... every time I get mad at my brothers my first reaction is not to sell them as a servant to my next door neighbor!  And yet, Joseph became second in command and saved the lives of his family and many, many others. He found himself telling his brothers years later: "What you meant for evil, God meant for good!"  (Genesis 50:20)

Esther's parents were dead.  She was being raised by her cousin, Mordecai.  She ended up marrying a king and saving her people.  Typical?  I think not.  (Book of Esther)

And these are only a few examples!  The Bible is filled to the brim with more.

So what's the point?
The point is, we don't have to have a "perfect" or even "normal" situation or family to be used extraordinarily for God.  And that means we should have nothing to fear!

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious about itself.  Sufficient is the day for its own trouble.  (Matthew 6:34)