TRANSCRIPT:

Welcome to the ‘Five Minute Family’ brought to you by Clear View Retreat, a family retreat ministry enlightening God’s relationship principles to families in both the ‘norms’ and ‘storms’ of life. Join us as we explore various aspects of family life. Today, we would like to introduce our concept of the ‘Five Minute Family.’

Do you sometimes feel your family is a chaotic mess? We all mess up, often and every day, but a “Five Minute Family” can commit to intentionally investing five minutes a day to change their family patterns and pour love, life, and affirmation into each other. New patterns of relating will lead to more sweet interactions and a loving, Godly family unit.

What five minutes will you give to your family?

Here are our recommendations for the big three and why:
1) the first minute of the day. Taking 60 seconds to give a hug and ask, “how’d ya sleep?” means that you are willing to invest in that person for the moment, letting them know that you value their being in your life. And, yes, that may mean stopping on a hectic school morning to take a minute to express your love
2) the first minute you reunite. When we come back together, we are often ready to unload all the emotional baggage we have been accumulating throughout the day. Stop. Take the first minute to acknowledge that your loved one has also had emotional, intellectual, and physical experiences that are affecting how he or she feels right now, too.
3) the last minute of the day. No matter how bad the day might have been, science shows that proper, adequate sleep is vital to physical AND emotional intelligence. By giving your loved one that final minute in peace and security in love, you offer them the ability to face each and every day.

Other ideas for your next two minutes:
• the last minute before you separate for the day. Take a moment to calm your hearts (even if you have been bickering, rushing, or fussing). Pray a quick prayer: “God, please stay with him/her.” You can add in a specific need for that day. Keep it short.
• the first minute of dinner. Many families pray at the beginning of their meals. That’s great. Before or after that prayer, take a minute (per family member preferably) to ask open-ended questions and listen to what is on one another’s minds.
• the first minute of errands or chores. Now, admit it. When tasks must be completed, we often get frustrated much more easily, especially if we are working with our children. Take the first minute to lovingly reaffirm why you are doing this (no lectures please!) or listen to why your children may be upset about doing so, etc. Being intentional to show love and acceptance is the point for the first minute.
• the first minute together after a ball game or event… build up your son or daughter or spouse. Don’t mention the missed shots, dropped balls, and the like. Do mention something you like about watching them play or something they did well (even if it was how they listened to the coach, even if they didn’t hit the ball)

Choose your five minutes and begin today making an impact that will last a lifetime!

Thank you for joining us today. Please visit us online at clearviewretreat.org for more information. We pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, the richness of His glory, and the infinite greatness of His power toward us who believe.

First seen in Morgan County Today, Vol 05 Number 31, 09/10/2019

Heard on WECO Radio AM 940 FM 95.5, 1/23/2020