He keeps His covenant promises forever and remembers the word He spoke to a thousand generations— Psalm 105:8 VOICE
Document current traditions
When our family moved into a new house we had a big fireplace with a large hearth. I started a new tradition of taking a picture every time we had a family gathering. As my daughters married, their spouses were less than enthused about the ritual. I was unflinching in my resolve to get that group picture. They came to accept it – especially since that was the only present they needed to give me. We take a smiling photo and then one with crazy faces and antics. These pictures are priceless especially now that their Dad moved to Heaven. I am forever grateful for this tradition that I started despite the protests.
Active Expressions of Love and Honor:
- What are your traditions?
- Are they for special holidays?
- What’s the motive behind them?
Establish consistency
Don’t try to do everything that everyone else does. Decide what your traditions will be and be consistent with them. Less is more and know the reason you want to do them. Don’t do it just because it has always been done. This is for you and your family.
Active Expressions of Love and Honor:
- Ask around or observe cool traditions you might want to implement
- Have a family discussion around what you might want to do and take steps in that direction
Borrow from old traditions but tweak them
I started trying to get a studio picture every Christmas. This got harder and harder as the kids got older. Busy schedules and tight budgets made this one hard to do. Instead, I set up my camera with a tripod and a self-timer. I love how now the grandkids expect and we time the picture around the new grandbabies.
Active Expressions of Love and Honor:
- Enjoy your time together because that is the most important part
- Remain flexible and tweak with the end result in mind
Find a way to publish the results
I love Facebook because this becomes my cover photo. I am planning to get all these photos together and publish a photo book with them. It is important to remember promises kept and the words spoken. Future generations will want to know and the legacy continues.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, for always keeping your promises. Your faithfulness astounds me. I am so grateful for the inspiration to do what I can to establish routines and traditions for our family that will bless future generations. Give me the grace to see beyond what is happening so I can bless and love future generations. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Author, speaker, corporate trainer, ordained minister and Hope Catalyst, Karen Sebastian enjoys sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. Her books will inspire you to embrace hope no matter what you are going through. As a caregiver and widow she took brave steps forward to fulfill God’s calling on her life. She has now remarried and enjoys her new hubby and spending time with their children and grandchildren. To increase hope and improve relationships with yourself and those that you love, check out her Facebook page – The Power of Hope.
We used to have more traditions when the kids were little. I think maybe it’s time to establish more now that we have lots of grandchildren. Blessings to you, Karen!
Gayl,
I love the thought of having only grandkid’s traditions their parents did not get to enjoy – like fulltime grandparenting! Lots of hugs. One of ours is singing “I love you a bushel and a peck and a HUG around the neck.”
Thanks for your support. Feel like I got the wind knocked out of my sails but am enjoying the rest fully. Repleneshing the adrenals is vital.
Karen