What a joyful privilege I had to be able to celebrate the United Nations Year of the Family at Andrews University in Michigan with Family Life International participants from many places of the world! I really thank God for opening that wonderful door for me at a time when family values and family wellness are on focus worldwide. Indeed the conference theme, I believe, best described the expectations of all present – “Restoring Families: Turning Hearts in a Troubled World.”
It would be impossible for me to put down here all the highlights. What I want to echo to you now are ways to reach out to other families beginning with your own and mine.
In Your Personal Reflection
- Reflect on God’s love. What human instruments have deeply influenced you in your understanding of His love?
- Write down how God has used your family in making you a better person, a better Christian.
In Your Marriage
- Take time to communicate about the meaning of your faith with your spouse. How does your faith affect the way you handle anger or resolve conflict?
- Share your thoughts and inner feelings together with your spouse. Give evidence of God’s grace at work in your life by your empathy. Take time to listen.
- Endeavor to encourage and uplift your spouse with affirmation and appropriate compliments.
- Pray together regularly.
In Parenting
- Make a list of changes you would like to make to be a better parent.
- Endeavor to make it easy for your children to do right by your positive relationships with them, by smiling often, by entering into their feelings.
- Ask forgiveness of your child for something you have done which brought pain to him or her.
- Show unconditional love and acceptance of your child.
- Pray with each of your children, rehearsing God’s love and your love for your child in your prayer.
For Friends and Neighbors
- Encourage your children to de little errands of love and mercy for those less fortunate than themselves.
- Pay a friendship visit to a shut-in.
- Provide a no-interest loan to a financially struggling family.
- Have a “help and bless” brain storming session with your family. What act of Christian helpfulness might your family perform right now for someone in your extended family, your neighborhood, your community?
You can add to each of these lists. You and I can be tools in helping restore families by turning hearts in a troubled world. And we can start doing that now.
Tags: amilies beginning, Family, family life, Family Life International, Family time, family values, family wellness, Restoring Families, United Nations Year of the Family, United Nations Year of the Family at Andrews