6/26/17

Encouragement For The Week



Try to put in the hearts of your children a love for home.

Make them long to be with their families.

So much sin could be avoided if our people really loved their homes.

9 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful quote! I know this is the nature of your blog - but I would love to know your advice on how you would go about prioritizing home life within your children.

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  2. Hi Ashley-I have thought a lot about this-it's an art I think. It's about cultivating loving sibling and parental relationships (which seems frustrating at times growing up but talk to some friends and see who has it and who doesn't and why-I know some people say they fought like cats and dogs with a particular sibling but then are best friends today-it's interesting to "study") and also creating a comfortable home for kids to be at-NOT the party house (well for some maybe that works but I wouldn't want it!) but the house where the parents are friendly and there is good food and things to do-not fancy things but just something. I think at the basis of it is parents who want their kids to be around them and truly enjoy the kids and their friends-and also time alone as a family. As the kids grow and get older this changes also. Some of this (for us introverts) is learned behavior and sometimes it's out of our comfort zone. I also think a balance of home as "refuge" and "escape" and a place to have fun and socialize is what I will always strive for and push myself towards.

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    1. PS. Did this answer your question at all or did you want more specifics? I am working with a broad age group here so maybe that answer is way off!

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    2. Yes, that was very helpful! Thank you for your response Sarah! It seems like it is more about the relationships than the activities. The activities are a bonus when you enjoy spending time together! And making a refuge for your family to come home to is so important. It actually sounds quite simple when you think about it yet we still often over-complicate it with activities and expectations! I really appreciate your ability to keep that focus on your family and home life first. It is always such an encouraging reminder to me! So thank you!

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    3. I was thinking about this after answering your question-I have a friend who is one of 8. His mom is beloved by many-I mean almost worshipped as a mom in the way she dealt with things and raised her kids. One thing I heard about her from her niece-she always was interested in her-even though she had all those kids and a million things to do, she would say to her niece-"Come in and have a seat and tell me what you are doing now." She wanted to listen to her-even when she was five, or sixteen, or 40-what she had to say mattered to this special woman-she wasn't too busy or disinterested to make every person feel interesting. Her home was (and is) a place where people gravitate to.

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    4. I love that and hope that of myself as well. I am often one who tends to always be doing. I suppose I want to strive to have less to do so I can allow myself to stop and be present when the opportunity arises!

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  3. What a great discussion. Wise words! Thank you for sharing!

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  4. I love the quote - but I love the comments even more! Thanks for advice, Sarah!

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