Page 15 - Cornerstone Connection Magazine - Volume 22 - Issue 8

Developing a Sense of Togetherness is given two kernels of Indian corn to symbolize the blessings
in a Harried Household he or she is most thankful for that year. A basket is passed,
and every member drops in the corn while sharing their two
Question: My family lives together under one roof, and we richest blessings from God during that year. Our expressions
share the same last name, but we don’t “feel” like a family. of thankfulness inevitably involve people--children, grand-
How can I begin to put a sense of togetherness into this parents, and other loved ones. As the basket moves around
harried household? How do you put meaningful activities the table, tears of appreciation and love are evident on many
into your family? faces. It is one of the most beautiful moments of the year.
The great value of traditions is that they give a family a
Answer: One way to accomplish that is by creating traditions sense of identity and belonging. All of us desperately need
in your home. By traditions I’m referring to those recurring to feel that we’re not just part of a busy cluster of people
events and behaviors that are anticipated, especially by living together in a house, but we’re a living, breathing family
children, as times of closeness and fellowship between loved that’s conscious of our uniqueness, our character, and our
ones. heritage. That feeling is the only antidote for the loneliness
In our family, the centerpiece of our holiday traditions and isolation that characterize so many homes today. ✝
is food. Each year during Thanksgiving and Christmas,
the women prepare marvelous turkey dinners with all the From Dr. Dobson’s The Complete Marriage and Family Home
trimmings. Another great favorite at that time is a fruit dish Reference Guide. Chapter 20, Question 402.
called ambrosia, containing sectioned oranges and grapes.
The family peels the grapes together the night before the big
day. These holidays are wonderful experiences for all of us.
There’s laughter and warm family interaction throughout the © Copyright 2021 James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved. www.drjamesdobson.org.
day. We look forward to that festive season, not just for the James Dobson grants permission to print for personal use only.
food, but for what happens between loved ones who come
together on that occasion.
We also have designated foods on the other holidays
throughout the year. On New Year’s Day, for reasons I cannot
explain, we enjoy a southern meal of pinto beans cooked at
least eight hours with large chunks of lean ham, served with
cornbread and little onions. It’s so good! For many years, we
invited thirty or more friends to our home on July Fourth and
served them barbecued hamburgers and baked beans. This
became a prelude to the fireworks display and much fun and
laughter.
There are many other traditions. Immediately prior to
the Thanksgiving dinner, I read a passage of Scripture, and
Shirley tells the story of the Pilgrims who thanked God for
helping them survive the ravages of winter. Then each person

cornerstoneconnection.com 15