The two most important hours of the day

There are two magic hours in every day.  How these two hours are spent will largely determine the level of happiness and satisfaction for the rest of the day.  They are also the best times for strengthening family relationships and bonding.  Any ideas what those two hours are?

The first one is the first hour in the morning.  It's the hour that sets the tone for the day.  It can start out stressful and rushed.  Or it can be a time when your husband and children feel your love and encouragement as they prepare to leave for the day.  A relaxed breakfast, clothes laid out the night before, lunch prepared, all papers and books accounted for, maybe a morning prayer and short devotional.  What makes the difference between stressed and prepared?  Maybe half an hour.  Is it worth it?  I think so.

The second magic hour in the day is the dinner hour.  Having everyone together at the table reviewing their day, sharing ideas and information is incredibly important for building strong family ties.  There aren't many other times in the day when everyone can actually be in the same place at the same time.  It's worth it to schedule activities around your family time, not the other way around.  This is also a good time to practice table manners, polite conversation and respect.  Where else are the kids going to learn it?

Our homes can be a place of refuge and peace amidst the craziness of the world.  Those two magic hours can give your family the strength and confidence to meet the challenges of the day.  We need all the help we can get!