Its all about Family!

Family is everything to me and once in a while I try to make every effort to look for ways to improve on my relationship with my family. As a new parent I want to instill in my son the Godly values that make family stronger and better just as my parents did while growing up. There are various aspects of family life that needs continuous and intentional nurturing such marriage, parent children relationship etc. and there is no better guide than the bible to help make this stronger and better. Now this applies to both married, single, young and old; we need to continually strive to make our family relationship stronger.

I love the bible app (YouVersion), it has all this different bible plans and devotional that you can read daily. So in my quest to better enrich my family and make my home better I discovered this reading plan on the bible app titled Marriage and Family life plan . My husband and I are currently completing this plan with a few of our close friends, it has been amazing how this plan is helping us develop and strengthen our relationship as a family. There are certain lessons that I've learn't and I'm currently applying of which I'm seeing results.

The first lesson is resolving conflict with prayer. Many times in a relationship there are disagreements and more often than not we tell the other person how we feel either in anger or bitterness, thinking that will be the best and quickest way to resolve the matter. Ephesians 4:25-27 "No more lying, then! Each of you must tell the truth to one another, because we are all members together in the body of Christ. If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you to sin and do not stay angry all day. Don't give the devil a chance." -GNB . I have read this passage of scripture before but reading it again during the course of the devotion made more impact. As wives, mothers ,sisters or brothers we have to make sure that anytime you have a conflict with anyone in your family, turn to God to help you in resolving it. I'm not saying don't talk about the issue but before you do ask God on how to handle the situation.

Another important point in the devotional is appreciation. Speaking kind words to one another, appreciating one another will strengthen the relationship within a family. A brother should try to speak kindly to his sister and vice versa. Wives should appreciate their husbands and vice versa. A simple "Thank you" to your children will show themthat they are loved and valued. Learning to appreciate one another is key to a stronger and happier relationship. Ephesians 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."-KJV

The last point I will like to share is training your children in the way of the lord. Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." little children are easily impressioned upon, so making every effort to direct them on the Godly path is important. As guardians of these wonderful gifts that God has given us, we should be good examples both in words and in our action which will help build a good relationship .

Now you might say well I'm still single or don't have any kids, but you are either an uncle or an aunt to one or two kids, you can help shape their character by being good examples also help in their spiritual development. As a single person waiting on God you can start seeking God in your current friendships or relationships when conflict arises and appreciating the friends God has placed in your life; As a mother or a wife you can try each day by appreciating your husband and children and when you do your family life becomes strengthened and the devil will have no hold because you have made God the pillar of your home.