Family Ties

I have been learning about similar things in a few of my classes this week.  One thing that stands out is how family members each have roles they play in the family.  Some roles are assigned by others, some they choose for themselves.  Some roles come and go as needed, but there are also very important roles we have that keep our family balanced.
To give an idea of what I am talking about, think of a time when you might have moved away from home for a time.  When you returned home to visit or stay, did you ever revert back to past roles or responsibilities.  This happens quite often.  Sometime when we seek to change roles it can create conflict in a system.
The ultimate goal in a family or any other system is create balance.  With that comes roles each individual can have to give fully of themselves to others.  There is a message given by Dallin H. Oaks titled, "Good, Better, Best" that gives some insight into how we each can take part in strengthening the home and family.

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"The number of those who report that their 'whole family usually eats dinner together' has declined 33 percent. This is most concerning because the time a family spends together 'eating meals at home is the strongest predictor of children’s academic achievement and psychological adjustment.' Family mealtimes have also been shown to be a strong bulwark against children’s smoking, drinking, or using drugs. There is inspired wisdom in this advice to parents: what your children really want for dinner is you.

President Gordon B. Hinckley has pleaded that we 'work at our responsibility as parents as if everything in life counted on it, because in fact everything in life does count on it.'

He continued: 'I ask you men, particularly, to pause and take stock of yourselves as husbands and fathers and heads of households. Pray for guidance, for help, for direction, and then follow the whisperings of the Spirit to guide you in the most serious of all responsibilities, for the consequences of your leadership in your home will be eternal and everlasting.'

The First Presidency has called on parents 'to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles. … The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place … in … this God-given responsibility.' The First Presidency has declared that 'however worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform.'"

What I take from Dallin H. Oaks message is that we all have specific gifts and abilities that allow us to help others in only ways we could.  Along with that, we should give others the opportunity to use their gifts to best help us.  

- Kirsten

(Hope this thought wasn't too long, I don't plan to make them all this long.)