Family
Posted by Vanity of Vanities! on October 30, 2009
Again, swiped from Amanda
1. Do I have spiritual discussions with my family?
Yes and no. I’m very open with my husband and some of my family members who are openly practicing the faith. With others, I tend to defer to my perception of their preferences, and I keep my mouth shut. That is not good.
2. Does my family think I that I treat strangers better than my family?
I suppose you’d have to ask them, but I would answer that no, I do not. Typically, I’m so introverted that my surprise at strangers talking to me comes across as stand-offishness. Who am I kidding? I’m stand-offish. I don’t do well with people I don’t know. That is not good, either. (It’s a wonder how I ever make friends.)
3. Is Christ the center of our holidays?
I would say that He is not the center to the extent that He should be. I am always looking for ways to get to the heart of what really matters. It is important to note that, as a young couple with no kids, we are not “in charge” of major holidays. We’re not even usually in our own home. Although I do honor Christ in my own way, I could definitely do better about reminding others and about being more open.
4. Does my family know my spiritual values? How?
Deferring to my answer for #1, it depends on which family members you’re talking about. Some know very clearly and specifically where I stand on just about everything, because we talk about spiritual things often. Others may know through observation, or by assumption. Those assumptions may not be correct. I am pretty honest on my blog, though, so those who read it have some insight into where I’m coming from.
So… family is an area in need of improvement? Thanks Amanda.
Xander said
I understand how hard it gets to keep Christmas “Christ” focused. It is always harder when the others are not focused on it. I openly boycotted the holidays for the longest time due to the hypocrisy and pagan traditions surrounding them. I was viewed as the nut in the family.
As I got older, I realized I can’t change the actions or feelings of my family. Now, I participate with my family, but only to the extent that I never compromise my relationship with God.
Good luck with the upcoming holidays. God knows your heart, so just follow it and you will be fine.
Amanda said
When I saw the paper with all of these questions last Sunday, I knew you’d like them, too.
With #3, I feel your pain. We do our best to have Christ at the center of our holidays among the 3 (4) of us, but when we get together with extended family, the attention inevitably is focused on food, sports, and presents (if we’re opening them). I didn’t go into that on my blog, because I have so many relatives who are reading it now that I didn’t want to p.o. anybody (yes, I hate having to filter my blog…).
I don’t want to boycott family holidays, but I really don’t care for how we give Jesus His “due” at the blessing before the meal and then go on like every other secular family the rest of the day. One year, Jimmy and I are going to have our holidays with just our kids at our home, and we will celebrate them the way we want to celebrate them. In fact, maybe I need to talk to him about rotating around which holiday we choose to celebrate at home so that we can have at least 1 holiday a year that’s truly celebrated the way we want to celebrate it… Hmmm…
Vanity of Vanities! said
Well, with your little one(s) at home, it only makes sense for you to do your own thing in the morning. Christmas morning should be at home with parents, and extended family is later. At least, that makes sense to me. And Thanksgiving isn’t until lunch or dinner, so that gives you the whole morning!