Summary: I often refer to my situation as being in crisis mode. Being in this attitude of living is not very conducive to an intentional family culture! A crisis can impact your family to come together and bond, but it is NOT ideal. Often, however, it isn't the crisis, situation or struggle that matters as much as what we do when there is a crisis that matters.<br> <br> To create growth for our families, we don't need to have to wait for a crisis. Actually, intentionally shaping our family culture is like taking CPR courses to prepare ourselves for times when our family needs to be resuscitated when facing a trial.<br> <br> Constantly and consistently reviewing what matters most to us will help shore us up for times when we need each other most. The challenge is to be vulnerable enough to create such relationships before the crisis hits!<br> <br> Still, when there is a crisis, they can strengthen us if we allow it. If the situation isn't too traumatic, it can even define us by disrupting our beliefs and help us become better. I'm not saying that we should seek out this kind of disruption. It hurts WAY too much. When I was a kid, my dad had his first heart attack. It was incredibly hard. It was scary. At the same time, I think it helped us reevaluate our health habits, and our relationships with one another. Rather than allowing this crisis to traumatize us, we tried to make changes for the better.<br> <br> What is shaping your family culture? Is it intentional and preparatory, or is it coasting and crisis?
