Vital Forces for a Happy Home (3) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Vital Forces for a Happy Home (3)

Dear Reader,

It is a good day for you! Last week, we examined Love & Excitement as vital forces for a happy home. It is important for you to know that God instituted marriage and He intended every home to be a sweet and peaceful place. When it is not so, it is evident that something is missing. A lot of people dream of a perfect home, a place where joy, peace, prosperity and fruitfulness abound. But they are not ready to pay the price.  So, their dreams seem far-fetched.  I would like you to know that building a sweet home is possible, but it does not happen by chance.  The Word of God says: Every house is builded by some man… (Hebrews 3:4). Just as in the natural, you cannot own a house by merely wishing it; the same way, you cannot have a peaceful and exciting home except you play your part. You must take responsibility for the building of your home.

Today, I want to give you one of the vital ingredients for building a sweet home. That vital force is Gratitude! One of the ways of enjoying a happy home is by showing gratitude. It is the master key to a happy home and it is the missing ingredient in most Christian homes today. Take time individually and as a couple to express gratitude for the life you share with each other. Throughout the day, acknowledge small, loving gestures. Let your partner know how much you appreciate these kind acts. It is also a good idea to express thanks in a more formal manner. You can choose to do this daily during dinner or before going to bed.

As husbands and wives, we must also learn to be appreciative of little kindness. Parents and children, if you want an outstanding home, learn to be appreciative of one another. As you do that, God will begin to promote your home. Mothers, don’t sit down commanding everybody: “You, go to the kitchen.” “You, run outside, etc.,” without saying, “Thank you” when necessary to members of your household. If you have a house help, who has done one thing or the other for you, don’t just come back from work and begin to shout, blame and condemn. Learn to show appreciation. Say, “Thank you” to that little girl. Don’t think, “Who is she? After all, how can I be saying ‘thank you’ to my house help? God forbid!” That girl may not be educated today; she may not be an entity today, but you may need her help tomorrow. Remember, “Whatsoever thing a man sows that he shall reap…” (Galatians 6:7). Such a girl is representing a particular family. Did you choose the family you belong? No! Neither did she; so, it is not her fault that she is house help today. Therefore, treat her well. What you do unto others, God keeps the record. So, love your house helps; commend them, do not condemn them. Remember, “thank you” is a very short statement made of two words.

This reminds of a testimony shared in our Church some time ago. During the last Women’s Convention, one of our sisters testified how she improved her relationship with her house help. She began to treat her like a daughter and one day when her child was afflicted, God used this same house help to deliver her daughter from that affliction.

What would have cost her a huge sum of money and emotional stress was solved by her house help. It pays to be appreciative. Don’t say, “Look at my friend’s husband; he has done this and that for her, etc.” Meanwhile, you never shown any appreciation for the little things your husband has done. Instead, you only complain, saying, “He has done nothing.” At the end of the day, the man, the woman or the children may get tired of your constant nagging. So, watch it. Do not destroy your sweet home.

A man wrote me some time ago. He was lamenting that everything he does for his wife: anything he buys, any money he gives her, she’s never satisfied. She can’t say, “Thank you.” She can’t say, “I appreciate you.” The man said he was getting tired of her attitude. Wives, your husbands won’t be tired of you in Jesus’ name! But you have to learn to appreciate him. Some husbands too, nothing their wives do pleases them. Ingratitude is a killer of family harmony. Learn to say, “thank you” for small and great kindness. If it is little money given to you, appreciate him or her very well and he/she will soon increase it.

As children, don’t say, “Daddy, this is not enough.” Instead, thank him very well; appreciate him deeply and next time, when you need money, he will increase it. My husband used to say, “Every complaint complicates issues.” Today, I impart on you the spirit of gratitude that will enable you praise God, your spouse and family members as the need arises. Receive it to the glory of God.

Don’t ever forget to give God the glory that is due to Him.  For the good things in your home, constantly acknowledge the hand of God and give Him the glory. Always remember that you are only able to keep your home by the enabling power of God.

My husband says: Until you learn how to be grateful, you don’t taste greatness, because the depth of your gratitude determines the depth of God’s commitment to your lifting. Do you want greatness in your family? Then, learn to appreciate God and your family members.

However, before you can appreciate God, you must first be born again. Are you born-again? If you are not, and you wish to partake of this new birth experience, please say this prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).