What I Want My Children to Know about Family

Family is the greatest blessing I have. I love having all my children home and together. I love to watch them interact with one another and enjoy each other's company. As I have thought about family, there are a few ideals that I hope my children will learn as they grow up together:

• Family members always give each other the benefit of the doubt. They are not quick to pass judgement or criticize.
• Family members are willing to open their minds to both sides of a story or situation so that it can be resolved quickly and lovingly.
• There is no such thing as competition within a family. Family members help and support one another and find joy in the accomplishments and strengths of each other.
• Family is always there when you need a friend.
• Each family member is a valued and important thread in the tapestry of family.
• For a family to be strong forgiveness and humility must be constants in the life of each member.

I suppose that all these things can be summed up in one word - LOVE. When our feelings of love supercede our own desires and we temper our own reactions to one another to always reflect love, then we have built that family that will stay together forever and always. 

I am so thankful for my family. My family is the source of my greatest joys and I find joy and delight in them every day. What a blessing they are in my life.