Once in a while a family tradition will come to mind that might be timely to share with others. In no way is meant to offend anyone if you are not Spiritually minded. I do hope that you can find something though that you can use to remind you of all the good things in your life.
Our family has always tried to gather together to have a family prayer, separate from our prayers over our meals. Tried being the key word. I will admit in the chaos of busy schedules, through the years we were not perfect at it. BUT, I think all of us would tell you, that the times that we did gather together in the evenings for a family prayer before the youngest went to bed, we did feel our family strengthened. Our unity and love increased as well as the peace in our home.
Have you ever found that it's the smallest things that make the biggest difference? There was one thing we did that seems rather a small thing, but I found had a HUGE impact over time in the way our children treated each other.
What was that one thing?
Before each family prayer, whoever's turn it was to say the prayer, stopped and asked if anyone had anything special that they needed included in the prayer.
I know, such a tiny thing that one little question.
Many nights no one had anything on their minds. Other nights a spelling test or a good performance in a sporting event might get mentioned. Other nights it may be something bigger like doing well in an interview, or find a way to make friends with someone whom we were having a disagreement. No one laughed at the request, the family prayed, and for that one moment we were "all of one mind" in praying over each others needs.
I think the unspoken long term effect that simple question had on our family was that we care about each other. We want each other to be happy, and we all will work together to try to make that happen.
It didn't mean that we were problem free and our children always got along. Umm. that would be a big fat lie! But, I do think it made working those problems out easier. Especially when someone mentioned it in family prayer! It's hard to stay mad after you've prayed for peace and to get along!
The truth is... I have found that asking about each others unspoken needs before praying, softens hearts, bridges the gap in misunderstandings, and restores love, peace and a sense of family unity.
If your family is a praying family, even if it's over the dinner table, what are some ways you think it has strengthened your family?
