Family

This one word really means so much to each one of us. I am sure this word has the potential to bring a smile on each individual’s face, when he or she thinks about his family members. From the time we are born till the time we breathe our last, most of us are blessed with a family around us.

Parents lay the core foundation for any family. In most societies family is the principal institution for the socialization of children. Being brought up in a middle class family, I really appreciate the core values instilled in me and my siblings by my parents.

The word family also brings to our mind many other attributes such as love, selflessness, sacrifice, happiness, pain, comfort and so on. My entire life, i have seen my father put in long hours at work so that he could afford quality education for his children. I have seen my mother, a homemaker, not only nurture us physically, but also nurture us in every aspect of life.

In today’s world, we see more of small nuclear families. Both husband and wife work hard to make ends meet and to see to it that they can afford the best of everything in life for their children. However, children seem to be less appreciative of the effort put in by their parents and of the material things that they possess. Bringing up a family with good values has never been tougher than it is today. The role of the family prayer (Rosary) thus becomes so much more important now.

As Christians saying the Rosary together has always been an important aspect of our lives. The power of prayer should never be underestimated in one’s life. Parents should definitely encourage their children to participate in the Rosary everyday. However, at the same time I feel that parents should never force their children to pray. Children should be lovingly taught about the importance of God in their family. In today’s times I really feel that a family that stays together can only do it because of God and their attitude towards saying the family prayer together.

The above article written by me was published in the Christmas issue of the Our Lady of Egpyt Church bulletin (Olep Flight).