The Family... 

One of the greatest things that God gave us is the family. In the beginning God said that it is not good for man to be alone, so God gave Adam a wife. To that union they were blessed with children thereby creating the first family.

Family is the foundation where we learn our core values, where we share our life experiences and where we learn to love and care for one another. It is a bond like no other - a connection that should always be treasured.

Commandments for a Healthy Marriage

According to a survey by the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center, 40% of marriages will end in divorce. 

Marriage is the blending of two individual people who vow to forsake all others and to live their lives together as man and wife "til death do they part." Based on the above statistics we seemed to have forgotten that part of our vows.

Marriage no doubt is hard work. It requires a lot of compromising and sacrifices. However, it is not unlike any other entity, tangible or intangible that you hope to keep for a long time. It has to be nurtured, to be cared for, to be loved. It is a constant work in progress, but it can be the most rewarding relationship you will ever have.

My husband and I are blessed to enjoy a healthy marriage. It hasn't always been a bed of roses, but we learned the art of compromise and we simply adore each other.

I don't profess to know everything about marriages, but what I know for sure is that without God our marriage would be incomplete. With God, it is a three-strand cord that is not easily broken. Our mutual faith in God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is what sustains us and keeps us grounded.

A few years ago, my husband and I were given a decorative plaque with the "Ten Commandments for Marriage" as a gift. I found it so relevant that I still have it hanging up in my bedroom as a constant reminder of how God views the sanctity of marriage. I hope it helps you as it has helped us, as we continue to find ways to enjoy a healthy marriage.

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF MARRIAGE

1. Do not place others before one another. Gen. 2:24a

2. Let nothing on earth become more important than your marriage. Matt. 6:33

3. Speak to one another with kindness and love. Prov. 25:11

4. Remember to worship together. Psalm 95:6-7a

5. Love and accept one another's family as your own. Ruth 1:16c

6. Do not harm one another with words, attitudes or actions. Eph. 4:31-32

7. Be faithful to one another. Gal. 5:22-23, Gen. 2:24b

8. Never take joy from one another. Col. 3:14

9. Always speak the truth in love. Prov. 22:21

10. Do not desire or be envious of what others may have. Phil. 4:11

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Building a Healthy Family

Whether you are married or doing it alone as a single parent, a healthy family begins with the parents. These are just a few steps you can take to build the healthy family you desire:

1. Put God first

Since God created the family, doesn't it make sense to include him as part of your family? When we make worship a critical part of our routine, we develop a deeper spiritual connection with not only God, but with each other.

Find a church in your community that your family can attend on a regular basis. Study the bible together and pray often.

2. Show Love

The bible tells us that we should bring our children up in the love and admonition of the Lord. Love your children unconditionally, and tenderly discipline them in a constructive manner.

Children make mistakes as we also did when we were children. Mistakes helps them to grow, but the goal should be to learn from mistakes so they can make better choices in the future.

Model love to your children. Children witness the love you show to your spouse and others. Always be willing to speak to others in love.

3. Teach and Listen

Teach your children biblical values, integrity and good work ethics. Show them how to serve others at home, at church and in your community.

Listen to your children as they voice their concerns. Listen to not only what they say, but also what they don't say.

Adolescence can be tough, and children -especially teenagers may not always be willing to share their fillings. Exercise patience as they try deal with their feelings.

3. Quality Time

Whether you are a single parent or a two-income household, we all find our time limited and our days full of things to accomplish to keep our households running smoothly. In the hustle and bustle of our work week, there is one thing we sometimes neglect and that is quality time with our family. Children are often left to entertain themselves which can get them into trouble.

It is important to set aside time each week to spend quality time with your family. Spending time doesn't necessarily equal spending money. Keep it simple, by enjoying dinner together, having a movie night or playing a favorite board game.

You will see that just a few hours a week can make a big difference.

Check out the YMCA Healthy Family Home website for more tips on building a healthy family:

http://www.ymca.net/healthyfamilyhome/family-time.html

Still have questions? Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you.

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