This summer has been incredible! But it has also been incredibly busy. What happened to the time when summers were a break and families rested and renewed their relationship together? It seems like today, and my family was as guilty as any, families are on the run just as much during the summer as they are during the school year. At this point most every child, high school and below are back in school. This will present families with another main course on their already full plate. So for the sake of our families let us be resolved to be different this school year. In a world where family time is dinner on the couch while watching television, choose to be different and sit down at the table together. Following is a list of tips for Christian families who are facing the stresses and strains of everyday life in 21st century America.
Eight Tips for Starting School:
1. Plan family time. The goal here is to set up a time when the entire family agrees to be together. No television, no sports, no distractions. Just time to be together and talk.
2. Put your kids in wholesome and uplifting situations. Your kids will be what you put around them so put them in situations where they can grow and mature in and for the Lord.
3. Do not allow your kids to be so involved with life that you have to sacrifice church involvement. Make it obvious to your children what is the most important thing to be involved in, the work of the church.
4. Plan ahead so your mornings will not be rushed. Frustration sets in easily when morning comes around too early so make it easier on yourselves, plan ahead.
5. If one is working outside of the home, leave the job at the workplace. Often time families cannot separate work and home. Make every effort to control one’s job instead of allowing ones job to be in control.
6. Eat a family dinner. Go ahead and clean off the dinner table and use it for what was bought for.
7. Decide to have a family devotional once a week. There is no bond in the world that ties anyone closer than that of our faith. What better way is there to discuss spiritual matters as a family?
8. Be flexible. Everyone knows that the tree that snaps in a windstorm is one that is too firm to bend a little with the wind. A healthy family is one who can bend and move with the storms of life.
- Austin Johnson serves as youth minister for the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com
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