10 Steps to Unity in Your Blended Familyنموونە

Step 6: Establish family traditions.

Establishing family traditions in a newly blended family can be fun and easy, but it can also be tricky and challenging–or somewhere in between. Getting to the place where all of the children are "our children" and not "his children" or "her children" can help to create an atmosphere of a unified family. This may take some time, but it will be worth the effort. The more opportunities you provide to bring the family together, the sooner you can unite. Creating new family traditions is a way you can begin to meld together. These traditions help create and establish your family identity. When the members of a blended family can become united in something that everyone enjoys, like sports or being outdoors, those activities help create one body, one family, one heart, and a sense of belonging. This produces unity within relationships.

Family traditions don’t have to focus on holidays, although holidays often have built-in bonding opportunities. Simple activities like game night or a day at the park can help bring family members together. The small acts, done over and over, build a strong foundation for your family.

Family traditions are also generational change agents. Setting and maintaining godly priorities in your family, such as corporate worship and prayer together, can and will shape many generations. Scripture says that if we train our children in the right way, God's way, then they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6) . Establishing family traditions allows parents the opportunity to create memories and meaningful conversations that lead us to train and disciple our children in the way they should go.

Prayer: Father, we thank You for the gift of family and the unity You provide. Holy Spirit, allow our family to form a bond centered on You and Your Word. Help us create habits and traditions that bring us closer to one another and closer to You. Lord, help us to align our priorities with Your plans and desires for our family. God, help us prioritize our marriage and family over things of the world so we can honor and glorify You in all we do. Help us keep You central to everything we do, and remind us to seek You before anything else. In Your name we pray, Amen.