Lesson #1 on Parenting from the Old Testament

This was the only image I could find of Adam and Eve after they were clothed.  :)

 

I decided to start going through the Old Testament (it has been a long time since I read through it), and study parenting.  The first lesson I found was in Genesis 2:24, which reads,

 

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

 

 

This scripture reminded me on the importance of building a strong foundation at the beginning of a marriage before children are born.  A blessing (or a challenge depending on how you look at it) in marriage is that you come from two different backgrounds.  With those backgrounds, you have perspectives, ideas and experiences that can help create a new family and life. 

 

The counsel I see in this verse is to make sure to "leave" our parents.  That may be literal but it also can be theoretical.  How awful for a marriage to come in and say, "Well my parents always did it like this?"  Or to continue to rely on your parents like you did when you were single and under their care.  That isn't healthy either.

 

A husband and wife should stand up together, independent from their families and begin something new and wonderful together.  Remember what they've been taught but relying on each other and on the Lord for guidance and direction as you create a home and life that is enriching, purposeful, meaningful and full of love. 

 

That is a great gift to give children a solid foundation in love and purpose.  They join the family and learn who they are, that they belong to a family that loves and honors one another and enjoys being together.  A family with values and traditions.

 

A couple ways that Jared and I have adapted our upbringings to fit our family is 1), lots of love and affection.  I came from a pretty verbally/physically affectionate family.  Or possibly that was more me instigating all the love.  I don't know.  But in the Jared & Marvia Hall family, we give lots of hugs and kisses.  Our children see me and Jared express our love for each other and we show love for each of them.  They show love towards each other as well.  Typically after morning and evening prayer, we have hug fests. hahaha!  We just hug and kiss everyone and Jared gives the kids "tickle attacks".  It is fun and connects us all to each other.

 

Another one is that Jared came from a home with structure and routine.  They were very consistent with scripture study and prayer.  This has taken us some time to establish but we've managed to figure out our own way and time to study together and prayer together.  Having the consistency to reconnect as a family in our faith in the Lord has been a great blessing to us as well.

 

So, what habits or traditions has your family created to strengthen your bonds to one another?