There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human, are created, strengthened and maintained. Winston Churchill

At Samaritan Counseling Center, we encourage activities that strengthen families. Recently we found an article that really hit home and are sharing it because we have found it so helpful:

Among the keys to a successful family life are the spiritual values of faith, repentance, forgiveness and prayer. Strong families share a belief in something greater than themselves. They agree about what is right and wrong and what is really important to them. These shared values give families purpose and help them unite on goals. Spirituality is thus a powerful source of strength for these families.

Different families define spirituality in different ways. Some emphasize faith in God and membership in an organized religion. Others focus on faith in humanity, moral behavior, and unity with all living things. Others mention practices such as prayer, meditation, and scripture study. Still others refer to conquering faults and developing virtues like honesty, integrity, and kindness. Whatever a family’s specific beliefs, their spiritual values provide them with direction and unity.

Religious commitment strongly benefits children. Religious beliefs (such as a belief that God lives), private religious behavior (such as personal prayer and scripture study) and spiritual experiences (such as feeling the Spirit of God) are deterrents to a variety of negative behavior. In addition, religious couples have a lower rate of divorce and report being happier in their marriages than nonreligious couples.

Activities that foster spirituality include the following:

Handle the Day with Care. Some families make prayer an important daily practice. Before the rush of the day begins, gather for prayer. Encourage each member of the family to set aside time for personal prayer and meditation.

Inspiration Lane. Enrich your spirituality by taking evening walks in the park, around the lake, or any other natural setting you find comforting and inspiring. Plan an occasional hike in the mountains and take time to admire the beauties of nature. Spend time gazing into the star-filled sky at night and marvel at the wonder of the universe.

A Worthy Cause. Visit with community organizations and neighbors and find out how you can be most helpful to them. Then volunteer your time, talents, muscle, and money to assist those in need. For example, as a family, you might volunteer to take food to the homeless or to shut-ins.

Written by Stephen F. Duncan, Professor, and Kristi McLane, Research Assistant, School of Family Life, Brigham Young University.​​​​​​​​
https://foreverfamilies.byu.edu