Be An Encouraging Family

I have found, especially over the last year that a little bit of encouragement goes a long way. I attended my first Save One Post Abortive Bible Study last Fall. (Initial reason was for training purposes, to lead our group, but found a lot of healing and spiritual growth also.) I learned a lot about how to use the Bible. You heard me, I have never learned to properly use a Bible. I became very familiar with it and wanted to start making The Word more prominent in our Home. After all, I am my daughter's primary caregiver and therefore her primary influence. Here are a few things that I have found that make our house a better Home:

1. I have found it to be an amazing mood lifter when I post encouraging scriptures around the house, especially on our refrigerator. Everybody uses the refrigerator. When I feel like one of us is facing a certain problem, I will pick scripture specifically meant for that issue. My 4 year old has had problems expressing her anger in health ways, so I posted this one for her yesterday, "Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool." Ecclesiastes 7:9 And we read and talked about it. If I do not feel like anyone is in need of encouragement, I will pick one that tugs at my heart. Today's, as pictured below, is about Love. I really feel that my Husband and I have become a lot closer over the years, going on 6 years this year. I know that doesn't sound like a lot. And it isn't. This is just the beginning. But 5-1/2 of those 6 years have been filled with learning to live together, raising a child together, healing with our struggles about Lucy-together, dealing with my OCD-together...I would say we have learned to walk Together pretty well. I still get excited when he tells me he is coming home. And I still look forward to kissing him, cuddling with him, and hearing about his day, and that has really been on my mind lately, that I need to continually remind him-tell him and show him-I Love him, as to not take advantage of him being there, which is why I picked 1 Corinthians 13:4. Because it tells us What Love Is.

 

2. I have also found it helpful to leave out things I find in magazines or online with simple quotes. I found one yesterday in my Better Homes and Gardens magazine. It says, "AWAY is a place where it's not about the money you spend. It's about the moments you share." This was actually an RV advertisement, but I chose to post it because we Love to camp and spend time together around the fire. Recently, my car motor blew up and we are having to use all our extra money to fix it, which means no vacation like we planned. I was pretty down about it for awhile, but then my Husband reminded me it doesn't matter how far we go, but that we make memories together as a family, so we will make sure to do twice as much camping this year. :)

3. Compliments, sometimes, in the business of life, we forget to take time for our "other half," at least I know I have. I'm not talking about settling down after a busy day to talk or read together. I am talking about maintenance in marriage, upkeep, like getting your oil changed on your car-giving them compliments, making sure they know they are important. I like to make it a point to say at least 5 nice things a day to my Husband. (And zero negative, if I can.) (I am the same with my daughter, but have never struggled with finding nice things to her, because most of us don't get in the habit of being negative towards our children.) Even if it is just an, "I Love You." "You are a hard worker." or "I really like your hair today." I like to make sure I say SOMETHING to lift him up and let him know that I think highly of him, as the leader of our family, and that is why I am with him.

These small changes have made a big difference in out Home over the last 6 months. Everybody is happier all around. And there is so much more positivity in the air. More encouragement. We are able to work through big challenges better. It is better for me, for my marriage, and for my family. I hope that we are able to continue this habit. It has been contagious to the people who are around us a lot, which results in better relationships with others too!

I will try to add more later...But it is time for Family Game Night now. ;)