It is customary to do a ‘year-end review’ at the turn of the year. Many people, organizations, and businesses do this. We review what didn’t work well in the past year and at the same time look ahead to find ways to improve. There is a phrase attributed to Albert Einstein: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Simply stated, this means: if we want different results, something must change.
When applying this thought to the family, the logical question arises: What do I expect from my family at the end of this year? How do I envision our year as a family? Do I wish for a better relationship with my spouse? A more harmonious coexistence among all family members? And what about the spiritual foundation of the family? Would it be beneficial if the family became more involved in church life? This list can be further expanded.
Would you take a few minutes to write down your thoughts? It would be even better to make this project a family endeavor: Each member individually, and as a group, meet to reflect on the results and develop a plan for practical implementation.
I can imagine that a lot of positive things could emerge if there is a willingness to change. The family unit would become more functional. The daily interactions would improve significantly, and the spiritual depth of the family could continue to grow. The church could benefit from more committed volunteers, and, finally, this could have a positive, blessed effect on the surrounding community.
The willingness to change is the first step in the right direction. Perhaps you are asking yourself whether changes in your family are even possible. The family has settled into a certain code of conduct over the years, and everything flows as it always has. Can we get off this beaten path? Of course, some things would need to change, but that’s precisely the point.
Where do we begin? And who will take the first step? Many questions may arise that initially threaten to make the exercise seem impossible. This is understandable. Our adversary, the devil, will do everything in his power to discourage a family that is trying to live according to godly principles. He prefers it when we live alongside each other rather than coming together in prayer. He likes it when we pursue our own interests instead of engaging in the building of God’s kingdom.
What changes would be necessary in your family to improve life? Is there willingness to undertake these changes?
A fitting quote sums up the necessity for change: “Hoping for change without doing something yourself is like standing at the train station, waiting for a ship to come in.”
Harry Semenjuk
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