Over the next several weeks I’m teaching the congregation how to grow closer as a family. These 5 simple steps are SHARE highs and lows, READ a Bible verse together, TALK about the passage, PRAY with each other, and BLESS one another. On Sunday we explore SHARE in the second chapter of Acts.
When we SHARE highs and lows it models healthy communication, engenders caring, fosters acceptance and teaches appreciation. When you share your daily high with a family member it multiplies joy. Joy is meant to be shared. Carol Froesel shared with me this week that her daughter and son in law sold their house. I experienced her joy and it filled me up also. Imagine a church that shares joys, laughter like this every week. Imagine a household that shares it every day.
Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice.” It is healthy to praise God daily for the good things he has given to you. Coronavirus has taught us that we’ve taken a lot of simple gifts for granted. Handshakes, hugs, walks in the park, trips to the store qualify now as a high. The high you share with your family doesn’t have to be momentous, it just has to be something for which you are thankful.
If you only know someone’s highs then you don’t really know them. We all have low moments in the day, times when we are frustrated, tired, angry, and disappointed. Sharing a low first makes us stop and honestly reflect on our experiences. Then we trust our spouse, our children or our friend to listen to that experience. Galatians 6: 2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Jesus shared his pain and loss with the disciples. How much more do we need to get them off our chest? When we share our fears and worries daily with our household our chest will actually feel better because our blood pressure will go down and our heart will feel light. Try it this week, SHARE your highs and lows around the dinner table or before you go to bed.
