When I was much younger, I was taught that family is a group of people who are closely related by blood, marriage ties, or adoption. As much as I agree with that definition, I'd like to add that family is the one who sees your smile and knows something is wrong. They're the ones who walk through pain and joy with you, the ones who promise, come what may, they'll be there to hold you through the journey of life, and they'll die doing it if they have to. Family are those ones whose arms are always wide open, waiting for us to come back into their embrace, ones who forgive our wrongs and are willing to forgive thousands of times.
The Prodigal Son said in Luke 15:17, "How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!" He realized he had sinned against his father, but he also knew he could trace his steps back and ask for forgiveness. Just like him, many of us have been brutal in our dealings with family, repaying good deeds that have been done with evil, and at the end, we get this feeling of bitterness, end up hungry, and see ourselves in the wilderness of life alone.
Being brought up and exposed to ungodly and unethical things at a young age, parents are not totally out of questioning. They sometimes contribute to the development of questionable attitudes. For instance, a girl child who's subjected to her male brother, asked to clean up after every mess made by a young man who should know the basic things of life, is being allowed to do whatever because he's a boy and shouldn't be doing some house chores. The female child can grow to despise her brother and see herself as not good enough compared to him and someway she sees herself to be unworthy compared to him. Parents should inculcate the right attitude in both genders and stop tagging "Obinrin ni" (it's a woman's thing) or implying that being a woman makes one invaluable.
Maintaining Purposeful Relationships in Homes
1. Open Communication: Parents should have open discussions with their children about their parenting style. This helps build a good communication skill, making them the children's best friends.
2. Saying Sorry: Apologizing when wrong helps children understand the value of words and builds a stronger self-esteem that's not validated by societal standards.
3. Grace and Forgiveness: Creating space to be human and forgiving before errors occur will help the family move past troubled times, just like the Prodigal Son's father forgave him.
4. Consistent Effort: Constantly showing up every day for one another, promoting each other's value, and putting effort into small and big things as a family will make the home healthier.
5. Gratitude: Saying thank you for little and big things helps children feel valued and celebrated.
6. Personal Growth: A blissful family that is intentional about their children's well-being will help them strive to become more and do hard work, knowing they have a family backup to support them.
Passing Down Values
Purposeful families pass down their values to their children, including what they stand for, their name, integrity, presence and how they treat outsiders to show their level of kindness. The children look at the outward character of the parents, so everything taught and learned in the house is a result of the parents' character.
Conclusion
Maintaining purposeful relationships in families is crucial for emotional well-being, personal growth, and building strong bonds. By prioritizing open communication, forgiveness, gratitude, and consistent effort, families can create a supportive and loving environment that fosters growth and development.
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