Purposeful Living

How to Strengthen Family Bonds

Wisps of grey-white fog lay low over rolling fields of golden wildflowers, and I watch the sun ascend crimson through the haze. I take a moment to breathe in the promise of what lies ahead: For the next week, our family will strengthen family bonds at a cabin in the woods.

It all feels like work right now, but I know I’ll be grateful when we arrive.  I also trust I’ll be refreshed when we return.  I cling to these hopes and begin the daunting task of packing food for seven days in the woods.

Whether it’s a simple weekend getaway or a week away in the woods, getting away requires sacrifice.  Sometimes I wonder if the sacrifice is worth it.  I’m that woman who generally comes home and declares she needs a week to recover from the supposedly refreshing vacation.

How to Strengthen Family Bonds

This being said, our little family keeps making it a priority to slip away together.  We keep slipping away for many reasons, but at the top of the list, we find that these times away help us strengthen family bonds in unique and powerful ways.

Sometimes our excursions are 10-day journeys to wild skies, but other times, we slip away for one short night in a different town.  When we return, our family bonds are always stronger.

Taking a week-long vacation might not be a possibility for you right now.  If it’s not, consider even a one-night getaway with your loved ones. Let’s look at what happens when we step away from our everyday places to strengthen family bonds for even one night:

1. We strengthen family bonds as we reestablish a rhythm of restful living.

God designed the human body to require rest. The simple fact that doctors recommend eight hours of sleep per night indicates that rest is essential.  The person who follows doctor’s orders will sleep away approximately one-third of his life.

Our requirement for physical rest is a reminder of our need for mental, emotional, and spiritual rest as well.  Jesus extends this invitation: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

When we set aside time to rest and get away from our regular, rigorous routines, we are reminded to reestablish this rhythm in our daily lives as well.  We’re not pulled in dozens of different directions, and our families find space to connect.

Stepping away from daily life allows us to assess priorities and eliminate the parts of our lives that are leaving us weary, replacing those parts with restful priorities. #rest #vacation #familybonds Click To Tweet

2. We strengthen family bonds by interrupting the routine to gain fresh perspective.

Sitting with my kids along a creek in the wilderness opens my eyes to beauty I don’t notice in my daily life.  I ponder my decision-making and assess my goals.  I have space to reflect on my use of time, the relationships in my life, and my relationship with God.

Regardless of where we spend our time away, changing the routine forces us to reflect.  We assess where adjustments to our lives might be helpful and how to better prioritize our time.

3. Time away offers windows of time for deep communication without distraction.

Time away from home offers windows for deep connection. Campfires, hours relaxing on the beach, hikes through the forest, and hours in the car are all opportunities to talk and share.  Some of the best conversations with my husband took place on a 36-hour road trip across the country.  Quiet space allows us to reveal parts of our lives we might not otherwise consider sharing.

My daughter is most likely to share what’s really on her heart when we’re both relaxed and enjoying a time of peace and rest. She shares her fears and worries with me most often when we take long walks, away from technology, friends, and the listening ears of her brother.  Time away offers countless opportunities for these interactions.

4. Authentic community is established.

When we embark on a trip, we open ourselves to simply “do life” with others. Whether it’s a spa weekend with girlfriends, a golf trip with the guys, a big beach vacation with the entire family, or a weekend on the lake with a spouse and kids, time away from home positions us to need each other.  It also positions us to sacrifice for each other.

Eating an hour earlier than usual, because Aunt Carol gets hungry at five o’clock, heading the grocery store with your five best friends, and figuring out a schedule for the shower all force us into community.  Living in community, planning together, and sacrificing for each other molds us into the image of Christ, who willingly left the throne of heaven to walk among us.

5. We strengthen family bonds by experiencing the wonder of new things together.

Gazing at a picturesque mountain lake, exploring a museum, experiencing the thrill of a roller-coaster, or kayaking down a lazy river with a loved one unifies us. Experiencing the wonder of a sunrise on the beach or the luxury of a picnic beside a waterfall creates memories that last a lifetime.

When we take time to experience new things with our loved ones, we open the door to relational growth, and we grow closer to one another.  A vacation is an ideal opportunity to step out of the normal realm of daily living and experience new sounds, sights, and adventures.

6. Opportunities for doing nothing are deeply bonding.

The most refreshing moment of a recent vacation to a mountain lake was the realization that I was sitting on the shore with nothing to do but wait for my hair to dry. The sun-soaked into my skin with a warmth that breathed life into my weary body.  I closed my eyes and embraced the quiet moment of doing absolutely nothing.

Time away from home offers a beautiful opportunity to pursue deeper relationships, pursue God, and simply rest in his affection (for more about resting in God’s affection, join me here). 

The week in the woods revitalized our family. We strengthened family bonds and made memories.  The sacrifice was well-worth the effort.

A Free Devotional Book for You:

Does the idea of slipping away to a beautiful place to recharge and refresh sound inviting?  Space for Your Soul to Stretch is your personal invitation to create space to rest in God’s presence.  You need only 12 minutes per day for this 8-day journey.  Each day invites you to encounter God’s created world and spend time in his written Word.  You will walk away from this journey replenished and refreshed each day.   It is my free gift to you by clicking here.

 

 

I’m passionate about equipping others to encounter God in powerful and life-changing ways. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me hiking, jogging, exploring wild places with my three young children and husband, leading small groups, and mentoring younger women. A certified special education teacher, I am on leave from the classroom for a season of chasing frogs and playing in creeks with my little ones. Most of all, the compassionate love of Jesus has forever ravished my heart, and I'm emphatic about making his love known to the world.