Click
here to link to the September visiting teaching message, Strengthening Families by Increasing Spirituality.
We have the ability to receive personal revelation. When we live worthy to have the Spirit with us, we can be inspired to know what we can do to strengthen our families. Daily prayer, scripture study, attending church, keeping temple covenants, having Family Home Evening, repenting, partaking of the sacrament, and sharing meals together are activities we are counseled to do in this month's message to increase our spirituality and strengthen our families.
In my family we eat dinner together. I have seen many good things come from doing this. It's a great way to stay linked in to what is happening at school, work, and home. Getting a family of five gathered together for dinner is not an easy task on some evenings, but I've made it a priority and we succeed in doing this about 90 percent of the time. Eating dinner together is very important to me.
A few weeks ago we were all working to get dinner on the table. I was plating the food, the boys were setting the table, and Andy was getting the drinks poured. We said the prayer, and two seconds later one of the kids knocked over a cup of chocolate milk and it spilled all over EVERYTHING. We got that sticky mess cleaned up and took about two bites of food. Then Natalie, who is currently being potty trained, forgot she wasn't wearing a diaper and peed all over her chair. I put her in the bathtub while Andy cleaned up that stinky mess. By the time we got back to the table our food was cold, the rest of the family was done eating, and I had pretty much lost my appetite. Believe me when I say I know eating together is not always an easy thing to do.
We strike out sometimes, and I know pretty much every family does. But I also know that if I didn't try at all I would never have the home run moments where everyone is happy, the food is yummy and hot, and we get to share all the great things about the day. These moments happen a lot at the dinner table, and thankfully less frequently than the
scenario previously described.
We all have different struggles. Whether our battle is eating together, praying, having Family Home Evening, going to church, or all of the above, I know that the Lord will give us the strength to do what is required to increase spirituality in our homes if we ask for help and listen to the revelation we receive. As wives and mothers and daughters we play a huge role in bringing the Spirit into our home. I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. It makes me a happier person. I know that whatever success I have had as a wife, mother, and daughter has come from living the teachings of the gospel.
What things do you do to increase spirituality in your home? Leave a comment and share what works for you.
