Esther Herring Poitier is our Smith/Herring/Stewart Family Blog Contributor for this month. You'll enjoy her wisdom and insight for our "Blessed Heritage" as she shares with you "The Purpose Of Family"... Please sign-up to join our blog community and feel free to post your comments or thoughts to our monthly blogs. They're truly wonderful and encouraging to read. Enjoy, sib
THE PURPOSE OF THE FAMILY
By: Esther L. Poitier
Psalms 128
1. How joyful are those who fear the LORD — all who follow his ways! 2. You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be! 3. Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. 4. That is the LORD's blessing for those who fear him. 5. May the LORD continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live. 6. May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. May Israel have peace!
The purpose of a family is to give its members a safe and supportive base from which to explore the world. This applies both to the family your parents make for you, and to the one you eventually make for yourself and your children.
Strong families share a belief in something greater than themselves. They agree about what is right and wrong and what is really important to them. These shared values give families purpose and help them unite on goals. Spirituality is thus a powerful source of strength for these families.
Four Spiritual Values That Create A Happy Family
1) Love
Love is the most fundamental and crucial part of a family. Love demands sacrifice and commitment to family members. When one makes a mistake that seems to deserve a harsh lesson, love makes a concession. A family bonded with love will never break.
2) Forgiveness
It is common to have little misunderstandings and disputes within families. However, if a person holds enough of a grudge it can disturb the foundation of a family relationship. Forgiveness becomes easier when you love the person, and in such cases helps families reconcile faster.
3) Peaceful
It is easy to judge if a person is at peace or is battling some issue in their mind. A peaceful state of mind can be attained only when effort is made to settle existing problems. For this is the reason people who are spiritually anchored are more at peace with themselves and everything around them. Peace is easy when you forgive, let go of a grudge, settle disputes.
4) Joy in Tough Times
Such a trait can seem bizarre, but spirituality develops trust in God that in turn builds peace, faith and hope for a better tomorrow. It is truly a beautiful experience to hold on to your joy in times of trouble because we know that there is a way out. Your spirituality defines how you deal with hardships.
GREAT Job Aunt Esther... Words To Truly Live By...