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Creating a Peaceful Home | |
Watch Your Words Did you ever stop and think how powerful words are? The Bible has quite a bit to say about the tongue. Proverbs 21:23 says that "whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles". Words can encourage, heal, build up, and bring life. Or they can tear down and destroy. It is so easy, in the heat of the moment, to say cutting, unkind, hurtful things to our children or husbands. This brings dissension and fighting to our home, and leaves everyone angry and upset. Careless, angry comments can leave their sting for a long time. Our children and teens can be corrected without degrading words. We can disagree with our husband without getting into a nasty word battle. Stop and think before you launch an attack with your tongue. Gentle, kind words diffuse anger and promote family harmony. Regular Routines As a teacher, this works in my classroom, and it also works in the home. All of us, children and adults alike, benefit from regular routines. When our meals, bedtimes, chores, and our children's homework time are on a fairly predictable schedule, it gives us a sense of structure, self-discipline, and resulting peace of mind. This contributes to a more tranquil homelife. Think of how you feel yourself when your normal routine is thrown off schedule for some reason. You may feel cranky and unsettled. Your kids might also react negatively to an unstructured, confusing household. Establish Rules and Consequences Establish rules and consequences for your children's behavior. Be clear about what you expect and consistently follow through with the correction if they test the rules. Children and teens are more insecure if they are not sure what's expected, or if they feel that their parents don't have the backbone to be firm. I may have gotten angry when my parents would not let me do something as a child or teen. I probably accused them of being over-protective or assured them that ALL the other kids were allowed to do it! But deep down in, there was stability in knowing that they were in charge, not me. The Family That Prays Together Stays Together The cement that holds everything else together is our relationship with God. Daily prayer and Bible reading with and for your family can transform them in ways you never believed possible. Commit yourself to praying about every detail of their lives, and standing in the gap for them with your prayers. Pray with them over all of their daily concerns. Read the Bible with them, or Bible stories to them if they are young. Discuss how it relates to their lives. Let them witness you relying on God for all of your needs. These four suggestions may seem simple and obvious, but they can go a long way in promoting peace, harmony, and mutual respect in our homes. We as mothers and wives have tremendous influence over our families. None of us are perfect in these areas, and we are human. But by positive words, structured routines, and established rules, we can have a more peaceful and happy home. Above all, putting God in control will give you the strength and foundation you need to accomplish this high calling. | |
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