Family is one of those words that can take on a multitude of meanings to different people.  Some athletes will refer to their teammates as family.  Close friends will often consider each other to be like family.  I even recently saw a young acquaintance thank his ‘family’ at the night club for their support.  There are a lot of relationships that might be special in life, but none should trump the relationship of family.

Families come in all different shapes and sizes today.  No matter the composition of your family, they are quite often the people we take for granted the most. Too often we fail to recognize the the sacrifice and effort of those who are around us every day. We grow impatient and gruff with each other.

It is said that familiarity breeds contempt.  When familiarity leads to poor manners, harsh words, indifference, impatience, and devaluing one another, then contempt is born.  In the proper setting familiarity can also breed affection.  Kindness, positive words, recognition, patience, and building worth can all build affection and appreciation within the family relationship.  All this takes time and effort.

When our needs for appreciation and affection are met at home, we won’t seek that connection elsewhere.  We will have healthy and productive friendships with others but possess a family bond that is unmatchable.  Familiarity can actually be one of the greatest blessings we enjoy in this life.

Here are a few things I have been trying to do with my family to keep familiarity a blessing:

• Worth winning?  Have you ever argued with a 2 year-old that socks worn on hands are still socks and not mittens.  There’s no point in it and there will be no winner.  Quite often there is no point in the trivial issues a family will find themselves arguing about.  Before launching your rebuttal consider if this is a battle that needs a winner.
• Surprise.  Many of us when dating kept an element of surprise in our relationships.  The demands of work and life can be heavy, but surprise can remain a refreshing source of affection.  Surprise your spouse by taking action on something they have been talking about.  Drop a simple note of appreciation in their work bag or in their car.  Bring home a simple gift for no reason at all.
• Thank you, please.  Kind words can go a long way.  Our youngest child can melt the ice off the coldest of heart when she says “thank you” for the simplest of things.  Thank you, please, you’re welcome, I’m sorry, and many other kind words that are often reserved for outsiders work very well at home too.
• Bite that tongue.  There are  many things that we say in the heat of frustration that create problems.  Psychologists would have you believe that holding back words will cause you to repress your true feelings.  In reality a bit of self-control and patience can help avoid much turmoil and heartache.  Also to be avoided is the oft used excuse of being blunt.  That’s just another way of saying you’re rude and can’t control your own tongue.

Family Worship Series

Today marks the final installment of the family worship series.  I appreciate all of you who have been following along and I know that your efforts with your family have been a blessing.  Next Tuesday I plan to launch the dinnertime devo series and I hope it will be a blessing to your family as well as mine.  Week 52 – Jonah

Have a happy and blessed New Year!  Start 2014 off right by saying something nice to the ones you love.