Question #3

What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
I do not like this question.
My lack of enthusiasm for it reveals what I already know: I often have pursuits outside my home (even ministry pursuits) that are more exciting to ponder and attack.
Pointing my attention back to my home and family is likely just what I need.
So, I’ll sincerely give it serious consideration.
(Will you join me?)
Since my weakness is often to get too wrapped up in my work (which is also my ministry) to the neglect of my family, I think something very close to home (no pun intended) is appropriate.
Holding myself accountable to the ‘first things first’ principle is my answer.
What do I mean?
1. The care of my family should be done in a way that displays quality, imagination and expertise, not just doing what will get us by. This means planned in advance meals that reflect some semblance of healthy balance, not just thrown together at the last minute with what I have on hand.
2. The comfort of my family should be a consideration in my home routine. Does the care of my house cause it to reflect warmth, welcome and calm to my husband and kids? Will I smile with welcome at groups my family invites in, glad for the fellowship & laughter that will be shared? Or do I imagine the mess made, resent the invasion of my privacy, or bemoan the threat to my planned (alone time) comfort?
3. The relationship with my family should be considered above my priorities of feeding, clothing, washing, chauffeuring, organizing, etc. Am I loving them, enjoying them, learning about them, praying with them and talking, talking, talking with them? (And not just to remind them to brush their teeth, pick up their wet towel or ‘be quieter, Emily!”)
4. The stewardship of my family as a gift and responsibility from God needs to be foremost in my thoughts. I only have them for a brief time. Am I serving God well in how I am loving, training, guiding, modeling and pointing them to Him? I need to care more about their heart for God than about their report card, clean room or performance on the track. For me that means I’ll pray for them more and entertain them less, ask questions that probe their heart, encourage them in God’s grace and reserve my time and energy to serve with a selfless heart in the countless ways that God’s love models this for me.

What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
(Can I switch gears and put a different twist on this?)
I’m sure a practical answer is what is intended (see above for my compliance), but an ‘easy’ and more comprehensive response to this is to try to love God more this year than you did last year. Pursuing God is always the single most important thing, no matter what the category.
(But I think that may be copping out on the question.)