Celebrating together helps us enjoy family relationships more. These 3 easy actions will help you do that on good and bad days.
Is your life set up in a way that you can enjoy family time?
I know you want to enjoy your family. But I also know that you live in a busy, distracting, too-much-to-do world… because I do too!
Christian family relationships are all about intimacy and joy. The problem is, when we get distracted or discouraged by the things of life, we can wind up prioritizing things that don’t actually help us enjoy family life.
And I’ve found that Psalm 100 gives us 3 really helpful keys to getting things back on track.
In 5 short verses, this sweet little psalm can help us all to enjoy family life again.
[This post may contain affiliate links. If a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.]
Celebrate more to enjoy family life again
One of the secret strategies for enjoying family life more is actually really fun: Celebrate.
Take a look at Psalm 100 and you’ll see it’s a joyous celebration. And when we celebrate, we’re smiling! We’re happy. We’re focused on the thing right in front of us, and we can enjoy it more.
When you’re enjoying family life, you’ll be doing exactly the same thing – smiling, feeling happy, focusing on the right things (your family) that are right in front of you.
Let’s look at 3 specific things that you can do – should do! – with your family to enjoy your relationships and your time together. It all comes back to celebrating life together, so that you can enjoy it together.
1: Worship God together.
The Westminster Catechism teaches us that the highest purpose of life is to “Glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
That isn’t easy to do on the hard days, when you’re distracted and discouraged. It isn’t necessarily easy on the good days either, because you can get so caught up in enjoying toddler snuggles or meaningful conversations.
Whatever you worship in life will define how you live. On the hard and good days, worship God with your family! Shout for joy, celebrate him, and be glad together.
2. Know God together.
Knowing God is not really about knowledge. It’s about relationship. Psalm 100 highlights only two things about knowing God – “It is He who made us, and we are his.”
Isn’t the same thing true of your family relationships? It all boils down to the simple reality that these are your people, and you belong together. There is great intimacy and connection in the simple fact of that relationship.
The more that you enjoy your relationship with God, the more you will enjoy your relationship with your family. Remind your kids of who God is and how He loves them. Remind yourself too!
GO DEEPER: Grab the Finding Your Identity In Christ devotional workbook.
3. Come to God together.
As we praise God and recognize our special relationship with Him, the natural next step is to want to be close to Him.
Gratitude makes us happier, and you can enjoy family life more and more as we celebrate the good things we have. Read the Bible and praise God for what He has done. Look around your family table during a meal and thank God for the blessings around you. My kids love to sing a little prayer thanking God for “our food and our friends and our family.”
Lead your kids into God’s presence with conversation, Bible reading, prayer, questions to consider, or simply letting them join you during your own quiet devotional time.
Enjoying family life is about celebrating life together.
It’s easy to get sidetracked by your kids’ temper tantrums, the long to-do list, and all the ins and outs of family life. You’re busy. It doesn’t always feel like there’s much to celebrate.
But that is just a perspective shift, my friend. On the good and bad days, God is still God. He is still good. You are still his.
And when you look around your living room at your favorite people, you just want to enjoy them. You want to feel close, be happy, and build great relationships.
It happens with celebration. Notice the good, focus on it, celebrate it, and enjoy it.
Listen to Episode #200
Let's connect!
- JOIN MY EMAIL LIST for weekly tips, gospel encouragement, and a new coupon code each month.
- JOIN THE FAITH FIVER CLUB in our Patreon community, to support the ministry and get exclusive access to our private podcast, Q&As, and more.
- JOIN ME ON PINTEREST and on Facebook and Instagram too, for regular encouragement and fun.
And as they say... sharing is caring!
Disclaimers: I am a licensed therapist but my podcast, blog, and resources are not professional or personal advice. I am an affiliate for many of the resources that I link to, and may earn a small commission if you purchase through my link. Read my full disclaimer here.
