Family is a fundamental aspect of human life, playing a crucial role in shaping our identities and providing a sense of belonging. From the moment we are born, our families are there to support and guide us, offering love, care, and a foundation for our growth. But in essence, what does it truly mean to be part of a family?
VI FamilyLink sat down with Ms. Brenda Thompson-Cline who holds family dear to her heart. Join us on this journey as we delve into Brenda’s world where we will discover why family holds such a special place in her life. Brenda shares about the emotional support and stability she receives from her family, the values and traditions that have been passed down, and the sense of security and belonging that comes from being part of a close-knit family.
VI FL: Why do you think family is important?
Brenda: I think family is important because it’s part of God’s covenant with us, His creation. He created the family just for us. It’s part of God’s plan, set up the way He wants it to be. We, as believers, agree to follow it. It’s part of our fiber of being. The family was put together for a reason, for a purpose, and was created and planned by God.
VI FL: What was the most memorable moment you have shared with your family?
Brenda: That question is really special because after losing my father recently, my family came together; we gathered together before his funeral, and we prayed and praised God. We thanked God, even for the moment of saying goodbye to my father. He was a godly man, and that was a blessing.
VI FL: How would you describe your relationship with your siblings?
Brenda: Funny that you ask. Like I said, after the passing of my father, we all came together and we discovered that we could still work together under one roof.
We discovered that we could still praise God together and travel and help my mother and help each other under the same roof just like we did while growing up. The memories and the disappointments, the laughter, all that helped us to grow into who and what we are; we have a long way to go, but we did learn that we could still work together.
VI FL: What is your favorite family tradition?
Brenda: My favorite family tradition is getting together with my family and singing.
Family prayer is always important, but praising God together is a great tradition that we can spread to and share with others. It’s our strength. It’s our hope. It’s our connection to God after prayer. And it’s part of our tools for battle out there.
VI FL: How has your family influenced your life’s choices?
Brenda: My life’s choices have been influenced by my family in many ways. My parents are praying people. We just lost my father, but my parents trained us to put God first. So, putting God first meant every choice we made had to be pleasing to God. We didn’t always make the right choices, but I can honestly say, even if we stepped out too fast and made the wrong choices, we eventually realized that we should have put God first. We realized that always putting God first makes the difference. And so, they influenced our thinking. They influenced our decisions by reminding us to put God first.
VI FL: How has your family helped you through the rough and tough times?
Brenda: My family has helped me in many ways, financially, spiritually, physically, you name it. They’ve always been there for me and with living so far away, it really made a difference. I thank God for technology, for being able to pick up the phone and get counseling or receive money that I need or even just advice. Anything that you need, you can pick up your phone and either see your family or get what you need. They were always there for me during those rough times. I’m not one to reach out all the time, but somehow, God always connected us and I was able to get through.
VI FL: What compromise have you had to make for your family?
Brenda: Having to leave the country I was born and raised in, to come to Tortola to live because of marriage. Understanding our belief that a wife honours her husband and goes where he goes has been my greatest compromise. I left America and came to Tortola, and it was like combining two different worlds. God blessed me just like he blessed us in America, come what may. It was a big deal because I missed a lot of birthdays, a lot of celebrations, a lot of doctor’s appointments, a lot of happenings within the family that I didn’t even know about.
VI FL: What has being part of a family taught you?
Brenda: Being part of a family that’s Christ-centered has taught me that it’s the best way to live; it’s the best way to raise a family; it’s the best way to even dream about having a family. There’s no other way we would want to have a family. It has taught us the ups and the downs of believers, taught us that we’re not perfect; we never will be perfect. But by having Christ as the nucleus of the family, everything that we go through and every seed that we plant will be blessed. That is really the most important thing that I’ve learned from being part of a Christ-driven family – benefiting from God’s promises, the promises that He says a Christ-centered family would reap, reaping what we sow.
VI FL: What do you think are the benefits of having a close-knit family?
Brenda: Well, if you’re a close-knit family and it’s a family of crime, a family of criminals, at the end of the day, you’ll be sorry. It won’t be pleasant. There won’t be any peace and happiness. If you’re a close-knit family and everyone is evil, selfish and greedy, at the end of the day, it won’t be pleasant. You won’t have peace. But if it’s a close-knit family of love, preferably God’s love, you’re going to have your ups and downs, but God promises peace. He promises His presence. He promises mountain-moving miracles. So, the benefits of having a close-knit family that’s God-driven is peace and God’s love and promises.
Brenda’s final thoughts
You did not ask this, but one of the most remarkable things I’ve noticed about the families of some of my friends who are believers is how they persevered even though they’ve gone through the muck and the mire and storms that you wouldn’t even think about.
It’s been so much encouragement that those families have given to other people. And, you know, I just admire the families of strength that God has put around us. His strength is what we see and what we learn from. I’m grateful for it. I’m not grateful for what you have to go through or what my friends have to go through or what they’ve gone through. You know, it makes your heart ache. But in the Word, it says, “Trust in the Lord with all our heart. Lean not unto our own understanding.” And you really see why. Because, if you sit to try to figure out why we go through what we go through, or what some of the families around us have gone through, you’ll go kind of crazy. But just knowing that God’s promise is real, to regroup and strengthen and heal the family, makes you believe. It reinforces our belief and respect as a family. He will keep our families in His hands like He promised.
VI FL: To let you in on a little secret, Brenda is the brainchild for VI FamilyLink Magazine. It took a few samples of a US-based family magazine and words of encouragement from Brenda to propel the start of VI FamilyLink Magazine.
Brenda has always had a passion for family and her story truly reflects this. Her desire is for us to understand the importance of family and better appreciate the positive impact it can have on our overall wellbeing and lives.
The importance of family cannot be overstated. Families provide a sense of belonging, support, and love that is essential for individual wellbeing. They shape our values, beliefs, and attitudes, and serve as a foundation for personal growth and development. Whether it’s through shared experiences, traditions, or simply being there for one another, family plays a crucial role in our lives. So, take a moment to appreciate the significance of your own family and the impact they have on your life.
Let’s strive to foster stronger family connections as we journey through 2024!
