Mar. 2020, Week 4: Family Culture

by Soren and Ever Johnson

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” 

These stunning words of the Angel Gabriel — found in tomorrow’s reading for the Feast of the Annunciation — could not come at a better time. With each day’s news cycle seemingly overturning another aspect of daily life, we need to join Mary in taking these words to heart.
 
In the fourth week of each month, we turn our focus to Level 4, Family Culture. With the sweeping changes of the past weeks, many of us find ourselves face-to-face with an unprecedented opportunity to build or rebuild our family culture. True, this opportunity was to some extent forced upon us, but it is an opportunity nonetheless.  

In our many conversations with couples, families, and individuals over the past week, we’ve been struck by three things, all of which are starting points for building a healthy family culture: 

1. Family meals are the new norm. We all know how seldomly the average American family sat down for dinner together prior to the Coronavirus crisis. In fact, when we did, the time around the table averaged 11 minutes. With no sports practice, no work trips, and few open restaurants, families are now enjoying the magic of the family dinner table on an almost daily basis. Let’s all linger at our dinner tables together, and bring new life, creativity and family bonding to our mealtimes.

2. This crisis will change our families one way or the other. At the end of the day, we get to choose whether this change will be positive or destructive; whether it ushers in a season of renewal in our marriage, or an aggravation of unhealthy patterns. With seven people in our own household now together 24 hours a day, we are like many families in that we face minute-by-minute opportunities for grace, patience, love, and forgiveness on the one hand, and irritability, impatience, distraction, and resentment on the other. Let’s begin each day in prayer, asking the Lord to open up the avenues of grace which each moment can offer. 

3. Families and households must craft a “rule” or flounder in the chaos. The small breakthroughs of the past week to 10 days for us as a family are tied to the small advances we’ve made on a family schedule. We as spouses and parents cannot beat ourselves up for our failures in the stress-filled past few weeks, but if at all possible, we shouldn’t repeat our mistakes. If you’ve been to one of our workshops, you may remember that a “life meeting” with your spouse is key–and subsequently, a family meeting. We need to draft at least a rudimentary schedule for this new situation, and put prayer at the front and center. 

So, “Be not afraid!” As we build our family culture in the days and weeks ahead, let’s look to Mary, who was able to respond to the Angel Gabriel with the words, “Be it done unto me according to thy word.” As uncomfortable and chaotic as these changes may seem, let us say “yes” to the Lord and allow His grace to flood into the minutes and hours of these days.
 
Heaven In Your Home Toolkit  

Kudos to Stacey Sumereau of the “Called and Caffeinated” podcast, whose free online Be Not Afraid Conference is providing inspiration. It’s not too late to join. 

Especially for those in northern Virginia, check out this continually-updated list of livestream daily and Sunday Masses. 

Check out these “uplifting books for housebound children,” courtesy of the Institute for Family Studies.

Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Washington, check out this one-page how-to for leading a prayer service in your home. 

How about taking this time to make your family’s prayer corner or “oratory” more beautiful and inviting? The Little Oratory: A Beginner’s Guide to Praying in the Home is an excellent resource. 

Need a little help jumpstarting your family Rosary? Check out the Holy Family School of Faith’s daily Rosary podcast. 

Don’t Miss…
 
Heaven In Your Home Workshops:  We are working to bring you Heaven in Your Home Workshop opportunities by livestream. Stay tuned for a schedule we hope to post by next week.

Please Join Us In Prayer  
 
We invite you to keep the following needs in prayer and thanksgiving: 

• For all families and households in this anxious and uncertain time, that they would draw close to the Lord in daily life and lead those entrusted to them heavenward.
• For all senior citizens and those at risk, that the Lord will protect them, and that they will experience the care and love of those around them. 
• For all national, state and local leaders, that they would seek wisdom, courage, patience, and prudence as they make decisions impacting our communities.