We are living in difficult times. That phrase has been used for different times in history books. There was a time that was so difficult, the historians called the era “The Dark Ages” after the fall of the Roman Empire. All enlightenment, learning, and laws broke down – men were left to fend for themselves – literally. Today, the world is rapidly changing, and each night there seems to be another catastrophe facing this planet. Add to that political discourse, runaway inflation, war, and an unstable economy, and it is easy to feel helpless, frustrated, and vulnerable. None of us knows what tomorrow holds, but the stability of our future has never seemed so unsure. This is a turning point in our generation. Our first responsibility is to our family. We must let them know that we are stronger when working together, and together we will weather this (and any) storm. Parents need to bring the feeling of togetherness and harmony back into the home. Why is this so important? Each of us is under extreme pressure to work as many hours as possible to pay the bills and put food on the table. The word “budget” does not fit into the scenario – how can one budget when one does not even know what next month’s prices will be? We are becoming pressure cookers and trying not to explode! People are so frustrated they are taking it out on one another, especially couples. But we have to stop and think about the little ones, as we might be affecting them in the worst way. Children look up to us for love, security, and support, and parents are the most important adults the little ones will ever encounter. They do not understand what is happening, but if you take time with the family and explain what you can and cannot do, they will begin to understand. Include them in ways to save money. Since you are working more hours, give them more chores around the house. Believe me, they will like the extra responsibilities and feel better about themselves, because they will become part of the solution. The most important part of this is to stop arguing with your spouse. Children hate that and tend to feel responsible for the fights. Yes, this is hard, but Proverbs 22:6 sums it up beautifully: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Within the dark clouds, there is always a silver lining, we just need to look for it. Our children, God willing, will be with us our entire life. By showing your faith in them, you will give a lifelong gift, and make them better people. Every good deed involves hard work, so start today (do not put it off). May God bless you and watch over you in these hard times.