What is a happy family to you?
“After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘ Get up, take the child and his mother with you and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you because Herod intends to search for the Child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead.” Matthew 2:13-15. 19-23
Family is the source of unconditional love. Where members share common experiences of good times and bad times, with one another well and never forget each other regardless of the distance due to unbreakable bonds among members. Strong families are defined by the habits and behaviors that bring members together – annual family meets in rotation to their traditional home or home of the eldest key member to share experiences, plan together and get the children to bond.
In many weak and obviously unhappy families, families do not have defined forums for annual meetups to network. They often do ad-hoc meetings to fundraise for a wedding, graduation or burry an elder or attend to a sudden problem – usually without proper communication. It is possible for a family member to be remembered at the last minute.
Unconditional presence and availability to family members is the number one cause of bonding among the family. No family is poor if members work together to lift each other up. However, many of today’s have siblings who compete with each other and will never provide a genuine helping hand to grow the other. It is only when one has a problem, other members tend to realize, rather late, that the only person is available is a family member usually excluded in happy times! The simple test that you lack family happiness are: you don’t have a family tree that is up to date with contact details of all members and their children at least covering three generations; one is happy with strangers and friends and not family members at least agemates, one simply invites other members to eat at their functions instead of co-organizing the same as a family – and so many similar indicators.
We learn a lot from the Family of Joseph. Parents must be available for their children and take care of them at all times. Postive and timely communication among all family members is critical for a happy family. As someone rightly put it: “You can tell if a family has happiness if their loved ones are secure and satisfied with their life; they care for others and are willing to help others if needed. They also get along with each other well and share everything with each other.”
Use this Holy Family Sunday to pray for your family. Take a careful family audit. Reach out to your family members and try to work as a team. Without unconditional love for one another, your family is not on a firm foundation.
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