Total Family Makeover: Infusing Spirituality in Family Life One Moment at a Time

Melissa Spoelstra in Total Family Makeover inspires her readers to practically infuse a love of God and His word into daily family routines. I love that she challenges all of us not to let our children’s behavior or their spirituality in a snapshot moment be our parenting report card.

She also has lived these practices with her own children and I should know as I’m her sister. I have been on the other end of the phone as bedtime prayers are said based on their weekly list – easily remembered as each prayer target begins with the same letter as day of the week. 
Monday – Missionaries
Tuesday – Teachers
and the list continues….

When her children have struggled with anger, she and her daughter use an anger journal to write back and forth. This concept and the forms that can guide you through this process can be found in a great resource our counseling center (www.communitycounselingassociates.com) uses often: The Heart of Anger by Lou Priolo helps us as parents face our own anger struggles and equips the entire family  to overcome the spiritual battle that exists in most our homes and hearts.

She also shares about the family meetings that occur often in her home. One of my favorite personal stories not in the book was when she had had it with sibling arguing during the summer and the kids through the family meeting process devised a plan and consequences for this behavior. I can share with confidence that my sister’s home had some amazingly clean baseboards as all parties worked together learning to scrub, forgive and live in unity.. Our family also participates sporadically in these types of meetings and I love the ownership it gives our children in the direction and care of our household and prepares them to be future group leaders. If you are looking to start this practice in your own family, the book The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler has lots of information that our Sunday School class found useful.

In a world tuned in through our electronic devices and often tuned out to each other, her brave and sometimes difficult resolve to keep Sundays media free inspires me. Stay tuned for the next Counselor Thoughts blog as I will be sharing regarding this particular topic in more depth after presenting one of my more requested parenting presentations – “Wired for Success” at a local church in the DFW area.

Just like my sister many of my friends have creative ways for sharing a love of God and His Word with their families and I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to comment below and let us know a great way you share your faith in your home. We will draw on name from the comments and send them a free copy of the Total Family Makeover. Also, click on the image below to register for another copy and a family fun night giveaway.