Welcome to Day 8 of our Journey through “31 Days to Bless Your Family”!

Today’s theme is Integrity. This is a great 1 – 2 – 3 step as we have gone from Trust and Safety, to Faithfulness, culminating in Integrity (Wikipedia). The main point here for us today is to understand the importance of what we model for our marriage and our family. Are we setting an example by what we live in our own lives and are we accountable to it?

This is the difference between “do as I say, not as I do” and “watch what I do, I will do my best to live my best”. I also like to add, “and you can question me about anything, anytime”.

[shareable cite=”Wikipedia”]The word integrity evolved from…integer, meaning whole or complete.[3] In this context, integrity is the inner sense of ‘wholeness’ deriving from qualities such as honesty and consistency of character. As such, one may judge that others ‘have integrity’ to the extent that they act according to the values, beliefs and principles they claim to hold.[/shareable]

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Often times the best conversations I have with my son are in the car. Maybe it’s because he is a captive audience – ha! I have always been intentional about finding teachable moments or discussing important life principles with him. At the end of any instruction I have given to my son I usually add that if he ever sees me doing differently that I want him to mention it. I have actually told him that he is free to call me out on anything he thinks is not right – to say he thinks I am wrong. (I have emphasized he would never be in trouble or hurt my feelings. I want him to feel free in our relationship, trusting, and respected.)

Integrity is part of intentionally creating an environment of trust and safety, respect, and a foundation for our relationships that I hope will be meaningful for many years to come (a lifelong vision for my family). I have to be humbly willing to live out what I teach or expect, and I have to be willing to give an honest account of my attitudes, behaviors, and choices. What kind of leader in my family would I be without that?

When we live in integrity, we model our best values for our family. They can see and experience us authentically which allows them to relate to us more honestly, and more openly. Our integrity builds an environment where our spouse and our children can receive the blessings we desire for them because there are no surprises in our behavior toward them. They know what to expect from us because we are consistently living out and modeling who we really are as we journey through life with them.

This of course take courage also because it’s great to be the hero but with integrity your family will see the human weaknesses in you. In order to be transparent and authentic with your family you will need courage to be humble and genuine. And it will take a lot of courage and character to admit when you’re wrong, when you failed, or lied, or made a mistake. Believe me, I love being right, but when I’m wrong I can really be wrong!

What has today’s topic sparked in you? How will integrity help you to Bless Your Family?

[shareable cite=”@Eric_D_Jackson”]Watch what I do, I will do my best to live my best, and you can question me about anything, anytime.[/shareable]

Today’s “Dares and Prayers” shared in the video:

• Love Dare – “not Jealous“
• Love Dare For Parents – “Wins Hearts“
• Power of a Praying Husband, Pray for – “Her Relationships“
• Resolution – “Man of Responsibility“
• 31 Days of Building Your Family Values, Bible App Devotions – “Joy“

 

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Special Thanks to Kendrick Brothers Productions for their books The Love Dare, The Love Dare for Parents, and The Resolution for Men. You can check out their movies, books etc on their site. Their site recommends a local church finder at:

• TrueLife.orgwhich also links to a prayer online, chat or text site – ChatAboutJesus.com

For prayer from KLOVE Radio staff:

• Positive, Encouraging K-LOVE Radio – Submit a Prayer Request
• “You can also call [the] prayer line at 800-525-5683”

If today’s topic resonated with you please leave a question, or share something positive that is working for you in the comment section below.

Here’s to your family’s “purpose-filled and on-target day”!

God Bless You and Yours!