This week the challenge is to show your family your commitment to them.
Commitment is so important in families. Be intentional with your time and efforts to show your commitment. It seems like a great week to try this with Valentine’s Day coming-try to focus on love and showing your family that you really care.
“Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes, but no plans.”
Peter F. Drucker
Show your commitment to your kids. Do they like to spend time with you? Do you like to spend time with them? Where is your focus in your relationship? Here are some things you can try to better that relationship and show your love.
- Take time to teach them life skills.
- Show your support for their hobbies and interests.
- Be 100% there with them-put away any other distractions.
- Have one-on-one dates with each child.
- Talk about things your kids are interested in…even if you’re not.
- Find their Love Language and do something in that Love Language for them. My son’s is definitely touch-so a great big hug shows him that I love him.
- Have family dinners together.
- Evaluate family traditions and habits. Keep the good ones and create new ones. What things does your family do that makes family time special? (Family scripture time, dinnertime, family vacations, family prayer, family game night, or yummy weekend breakfasts)
Show your commitment to Spouse. Be fiercely dedicated to the health of your marriage. This leads to happiness in your relationship. The relationship with your spouse should be your highest priority. Do you ever feel like your marriage is on autopilot? Let your behavior reflect your marital commitments. What do you want your marriage to look like this year? Make deliberate steps to have that relationship. Here are some ideas you can try.
- Find out what makes your spouse happy and do it.
- Pray…When I feel like the distance between me and my spouse expands, I always take it to the Lord to help bring us back together. Also, kneeling together morning and night will unify you.
- Renew wedding vows or watch your wedding video.
- Find your roots. Look to your ancestors-collect pictures of them, talk to older relatives, or record stories of their early life. Last night we did some family history together on Family Search. There were pictures of my husband’s aunt and uncle that had just passed away. It was so fun to see those pictures that his cousins had posted.
- Find his Love Language and do something in that Love Language for him. My husband’s is probably service-so making the bed and dinner are going to appeal to him.
- Apologize, forgive, admit when you are wrong, say sorry and move on.
- Focus on the great qualities of your spouse. What is it you love about him? Tell him or write it down in a card, poem, song, or note (That would make a great Valentine’s gift).
- Have a weekly, planned date night with your spouse.
- Take a marriage seminar or class together.
- Play board games together.
- Try to see them the way God sees them.
- Go to church together and pray together. This always strengthens our marriage. If you are keeping the commandments, the Lord helps pull you together and help you be more Christlike in your relationship.
- Reminisce about the good times-We love to remember great trips and experiences.
Take the time this week to show your commitment to your family. Help your family grow physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Show them that you love them. Make your home a refuge for the storms of life. Prioritize your life and do what it takes to allow your family in.
Websites that inspired me today: