21 Days to Building a Faith Filled Family - Audio DevotionalSample

Enjoying Fun as a Family

It’s Day 18, and you are doing great—I am so proud of you. I’m glad you’re back for today because we’re going to talk about the importance of enjoying fun and fellowship as a family

I’d like to pray for you before we begin.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to be in a family, in our specific families. Thank you for the chance to understand that fun is an important part of life and one that you bless. Please show us today how we can enjoy time together and have fun in our families. Amen.

I encourage you to give the next 15 minutes entirely to Jesus. Find a comfortable place and remove any distractions. If you’re listening to the audio, you can let the sound of my voice guide you.

Solomon was the King of Israel, David’s son, author of Ecclesiastes and it is said that “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.” So, I wonder what Solomon had in mind when he wrote,

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Was it only good times and bad times? Or, was he also thinking about awkward times, and times we laugh at ourselves? The times that live on in memories and stories, and the times that go down as the best days of our lives? I think this verse reminds us that amidst life's responsibilities and challenges, there is also a time to have fun and enjoy each other's company as a family.

Does your family have fun together? Do you enjoy spending time together? Really think about that for a minute.

[PAUSE FOR REFLECTION]

Take a moment to reflect on your family's current routines and activities. How do you prioritize having fun and enjoying time together?

Do you make ‘time’ to have fun together or do your other activities crowd out the opportunity for fun?

[PAUSE FOR REFLECTION]

It's important to remember that having fun and creating memories with your family is essential in building a close family and strengthening your family identity. Whether or not you prioritize fun, my prayer for you is that God brings awareness and recognition to your mind regarding the importance of enjoying life with your loved ones.

Wouldn’t it be great to overhear your family saying the phrases, “We have a blast together! We really enjoy each other’s company.”?

That perspective and those comments are attainable, but it takes your active participation.

There are many practical ways to make your family time more enjoyable. You can set aside specific time for activities and games, or even organize a secret scavenger hunt for each family member. Fun looks different for every family; there is no universal formula for the perfect activity. I know families that sit around and read books together and consider it an absolute blast. But, you must take practical and intentional steps to create great opportunities for the family to connect and have a good time together. Otherwise all those ‘Other activities and responsibilities” will crowd out your fun time.

There are two actions that you can take to increase the collective enjoyment inside your home, regardless if anybody else wants to participate, and regardless of what fun looks like for you.

First, pray for your family to enjoy each other. God is capable of working in the hearts, minds and spirits of each of us, and we should be praying for our families to have fun together. Pray that your family becomes the best of friends. Pray that your family would rather hang out together than with friends from school or work or wherever. Pray!

Maybe you have a parent that comes home exhausted everyday, and you would love for them to have some extra energy to make a memory, pray for them. Maybe you are that parent, pray for endurance and perspective to see what would be fun.

Perhaps you have teenage children who don’t want to participate in the family activities, pray for them. Pray for God to move in their hearts and turn them toward the family and be ready when they make that turn.

The second action I encourage you to take is, put your ‘yes’ on the table.

Position your heart to be all in with your family. Be the one who asks for quality time. Be willing to say yes to the requests of your other family members. Be the one ready to act when God moves the hearts of your family members.

I’ll double down on this action. If you put your ‘yes’ on the table, tell your family. Communicate that you are wanting to have fun as a family, and you’re willing to say yes to more opportunities.

This will take some vulnerability and some tenacity. There might be times that you feel rejected or ignored. There could be some times when feelings aren’t reciprocated. There might be times when you are worn out. Don’t give up.

If fun isn’t in your family identity and you want it to be, pray for it, and lead the way in fulfillment inside your home.

Are you willing to do those things to add some fun in your family?

I’ll leave you with Jesus. Take as much time as you need.

I’ll talk to you tomorrow.