Family First: 50 Days of Being 50: Day 5
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” ~ Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (NKJV)
This verse resonates, not because it was modeled perfectly for me - but because I promised it would be different.
When my husband and I began our life together, we didn’t have it all figured out.
We just knew we wanted something real.
A marriage, a family… strong, safe, lasting.
So we set out.
We raised each other while raising our kids. (He would say he raised me - because I was 17 when we met, married at 19. He’s not wrong, I had a lot of growing up to do. 😂 I may have been difficult and came with a lot of everything… but he wasn't the easiest either, no matter what he says.)
We learned love by living it.
Some days came easy.
Some days stretched us.
And those hard days seemed to echo louder if we let them. But we kept showing up.
We gave our children something new:
Presence. Safety. Home.
I made a vow:
They would never question my love.
They would never feel alone in the world while I’m still in it.
Every call still ends the same: “I love you.”
We stayed.
We prayed.
We forgave.
We built.
And we’re still learning what it means to put family first.
Not because it’s always easy.
Not because it was handed to us.
But because it’s always love.
“…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
~ Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)
#50DaysOfBeing50 #FamilyFirstAlways #LegacyOfLove #Day5 #intentional
Putting family first is a timeless value that transcends generations and deeply impacts individual and communal well-being. This day's reflection highlights the essential practice of intentionally prioritizing family through love, presence, and faith—elements that have been shown to foster resilience and lasting bonds among family members. The scripture from Deuteronomy 6:6–7 emphasizes not only the importance of internalizing core values but actively teaching and living them with children in daily life. This approach nurtures a secure, loving environment where children grow confident and grounded. Modern research aligns with these principles, showing that families who consistently communicate love, forgiveness, and support tend to exhibit better emotional health and stability. Intentional parenting, as mentioned in the reflection, involves conscious efforts to be present and responsive, which strengthens parent-child relationships and enhances overall family harmony. A commitment to serving higher principles, as expressed in Joshua 24:15, further instills a sense of purpose and moral foundation. It encourages families to navigate challenges with a unified vision based on shared faith and values. By reflecting on personal growth and mutual support in marriage and parenting, this narrative encourages readers to recognize that while the path is not always easy, consistent effort rooted in love and faith builds a safe and lasting family legacy. This message resonates widely, encouraging readers to prioritize family in meaningful, tangible ways every day.
