Praise Your Family

If you want your home to experience joy and refreshment, start with your words.

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A happy home means you praise your family.

Perhaps you think only God deserves praise. If so, then think again.

The virtuous wife of Proverbs 31 receives praise from her husband (Prov. 31:28), and rightly so, as even her works “praise her in the gates” (v. 31). A glorious, God-fearing woman is indeed worthy of praise (v. 30)—whether praise from her husband, her children, or still others.

Scripture tells us our words matter. To be sure, “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21).

What is your tongue aiming for?

In the book of Acts we read the story of a new church plant in Antioch. No doubt the young believers there were a fledgling community. But when Barnabas, the so-called Son of Encouragement, paid them a visit, he “saw the grace of God…was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:23-24).

Did you catch it?

Barnabas saw the grace of God.

Grace-spotting is what Spirit- and faith-filled people do. They keep their eyes open for ways that God is working in their midst. In a very real sense, grace-spotters get excited—they get gloriously glad—to see God on the move.

And it doesn’t stop there.

Grace-spotters encourage. They exhort. They inspire. They build up.

Do you do this in your home? Do you watch for ways God is working? Do you use your words to encourage your spouse, your kids, and others around you? Do you inspire? Do you build up?

Start to praise your family, and you’ll plant seeds for a happy home.

Next week: Step #3—Pray with Your Family

Last week: Step #1--Prize Your Family