The morning we arrived in Dublin for the Feast this year, it was raining. My spirits were not dampened though—I was in Ireland, the home of my ancestors. While growing up, I was continually reminded that I was Irish; so standing in the drizzle meant I was standing in Irish drizzle. It felt great.
I find it difficult to express in words what the Feast in Ireland was like for me. Yet I can say this much: The lush green country setting, the fresh air, the wholesome and healthy foods, the helpful and pleasant nature of the Irish, combined with the spiritual warmth of God’s people rolled together with the messages—every one inspiring—made it truly the best Feast ever. Yet, now that I have had some time to think deeply about it, I realize that it was not Ireland that made the Feast so great.
It was being together with the God Family! (Ephesians 3:14-15).
Others attending the Feast at other sites expressed similar sentiments. This year’s Feast was an uplifting and joyous gathering of family.
Mr. Gerald Flurry emphasized in his messages more than once that God is building a huge family, and He intends for us to be builders—literally God-Family builders. This is astounding and demanding revelation. Do you see the gauntlet God laid down for all of us? Our challenge, for the next year, is to bring that wonderful Feast family experience, inspired by the messages, home and make it a permanent part of our lives. Never forget—we are builders.
So what have you been building since September 27?
Based on what you experienced and the messages you took in at the Feast, have you drawn up some blueprints to build up God’s Family this next year? It is clear that you must begin your building project within your own family. No edifice can be constructed without solid plans. Here are some thoughts to help you draw your plans.
Make Every Day Family Day
At the Feast site near Enfield, County Meath, Ireland, it continued to be dreary and drizzly at some point every day for the first three days of the Feast. It really did not matter much because the first holy day, preparation day and regular Sabbath day followed in rapid succession. However, when it poured rain most of the day on the weekly Sabbath we all grew a little concerned because Family Day was scheduled for the next day. Mr. Brad Macdonald asked all of us to pray about the weather because Family Day included many outside activities.
God graciously answered our prayers. Family Day turned out to be spectacularly gorgeous. The sky was a cloudless royal blue. The sun was bright and warm. The barbecue meal, well-appointed tables and family games were held on the green behind the hotel and surrounded by the apartments where all the families were staying.
Taking it all in, I recognized that it was a picture perfect Zechariah 8:4-6 kind of day.
I can honestly say I have not witnessed a family day so beautiful, peaceful and spiritually uplifting. The young and old were all gathered together eating, talking and laughing. It reminded me so much of the large family reunions I attended as a young boy. You could sense that on the green we were free from anxiety, problems, stress or worries. Even the hotel staff noticed the special atmosphere that day.
Do you realize that because we are God’s people, we can experience family day every day of the year? Of course, it will take hard effort and work, but builders are not averse of that. Plan to make this year your year of the family.
Get Back to a Normal Routine
One of the most valuable aspects of the Feast is that it provides a refreshing break from our normal day-to-day routine. God provides us the opportunity to spend more time to reflect and meditate on our exciting future in the World Tomorrow. We have ample time to fellowship with others. Many also have opportunities to travel and see different places; even experience different cultures and foods. Yet in reality, we need a structured daily routine to stay on target spiritually. And so do our children—especially our children.
Now that you have returned home from the Feast, have you noticed that your children have become too self-reliant and a lot less likely to immediately obey you? Have you noticed that your infant or toddler is a little more fussy and quick to take a tantrum? Don’t fret—build!
Besides getting back to a regular sleep, eating and exercise schedule, get back into the child rearing routine. Just after the Feast is a great time to review The Plain Truth About Child Rearing. The principles outlined in this booklet work. You will not find these God-inspired principles discussed in any other publication. True family builders will follow these principles precisely.
It is only human that at the Feast you overlooked, or got somewhat lax with, discipline. In a similar vein, it is also true that children have the knack to take advantage of parental distraction. While you were busy fellowshiping, it is likely your child was pushing known limits. That’s reality.
Now that you have returned home, be sure to regain full control of your children. Remind your children of your parental authority. Review with them the blessings that will come to them for obeying the Fifth Commandment (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3). Be sure to test your children’s obedience. Give them commands and expect them to respond immediately. If your child responds well, praise them. If they are slow to respond or even ignore you, take appropriate action immediately. Keep testing until you get the immediate and loving obedience every child owes his parents.
Give Your Children Focused Attention
Our Feast was so wonderful this year because The Father and Christ gave us their undivided attention during the Feast. They gave us top-quality spiritual food, incredibly beautiful weather (once the weather cleared for Family Day in Ireland, the weather remained warm and sunny until after the Feast), and most important of all—they fellowshiped with us.
Now that the Feast is over, be sure to devote that same kind of undivided, focused attention to your children each day. Focused attention is the mortar that builds strong families. At the Feast, our children spent more time with us in a close setting than any other time of the year. They love it that way.
It is likely that infants and toddlers are fussier after the Feast because they received more of your attention while at the Feast—they were held more, talked to more and played with more than what you can do throughout the rest of the year.
Be sure to give your children, especially teens, focused attention each day. Stay-at-home moms can do this after school. Depending on their work schedule, some fathers may be able to set aside time to be with the children during the day. However, most will have to set aside time in the evening before bed.
Focused attention can take many forms: Help your children with homework; Spend time talking with them—ask them how their day went; Get their thoughts on events happening in the family; Set aside time to play with your children. Toss a football or kick a soccer ball with them. Play a board or card game with them. Complete a puzzle or build something with Legos. The list of activities is truly endless.
For families with infants or toddlers, set aside time each day to cuddle, talk to and play with your child. You will not be able to hold him as much as you did at the Feast, but when you set aside an hour or so of concentrated attention to your infant or toddler, you will see the fussiness subside.
Keep God in the Picture
One of the brilliant aspects of the Feast is the fact that God is kept in the forefront each day. Morning services keep us focused on the reality of God and His miraculous involvement in our lives. Family builders keep God in the picture every day. Doing this will require commitment, planning and effort.
At Imperial Academy, the first class each day is Bible. Without this important class, Imperial Academy could never be as successful as it is. Every morning, students have their attention directed toward God, His government, laws, plans and truth. Do the same for your children.
When my wife and I first began attending God’s Church, we observed how Mr. Gerald Flurry covered relevant booklets and Bible topics with his children before they went off to school. No one in God’s Church today can deny the incredible fruits of that effort.
How much do you love God’s truth and way of life? If you have real passion for what God has given you, you will naturally want to pass that on to your children.
We live in a society built on lies. Knowing, fully understanding, embracing and passionately loving God’s truth is the most important part of being in God’s Church. Be sure to review the subjects and themes God gave to us at the Feast with your children over the coming months. I guarantee you that you and your children will grow stronger spiritually through that process.
If you have not done so, you can enroll your children in Imperial Academy’s online Bible classes. This can be a great complement to your teaching efforts. Listen for announcements about enrollment in Imperial Academy Bible classes and register your children.
Pray Together
Recognize that we had the best God-Family Feast ever because we dedicated ourselves to draw close to God. Although we may have been alone in our prayer closets—we daily built an intensely personal relationship with God at the Feast. We experienced the resulting blessings. If we were not praying as a family those things would not have happened.
The high quality of this year’s Feast proves the prime importance of family prayer time. Set a time to pray openly with your children. Schedule prayer time with your children every day.
If possible, schedule that time first thing in the morning before the day begins. This prayer time does not have to be long or drawn out. Yet, you should focus strategic prayers about important events that will happen for your child that day—maybe they will be taking a difficult test at school; your child may need help getting along with another child. All of our children need God’s protection. Give your child the experience of answered prayer.
If your schedule does not allow for morning prayer time, then definitely pray out loud with your child before bed. Make sure these prayers are relevant to your child’s life. When you pray with your child, it not only builds the habit of prayer, it teaches them how to pray.
Although Feast 2013 has come to an end, the incredible lesson of becoming a family of builders will never end (Isaiah 9:6-7). Let’s take what we learned at the Feast this year and continue to build God’s Family till we meet again at Feast 2014. Make this your year of the family. Build upon Feast 2013.