Every family has its traditions, and most families work hard at creating happy memories through them. Children find security in routine, and part of that is revisiting traditions, “… because we always go there… always visit them… always do that…”

Just as children love to read and reread the same story book, they also love to repeat times of family togetherness. When our kids were growing up, they’d ask, “Are we going back to Afterglow this summer?”

What they were really asking was, “Are we the same family we were last year? Does everybody still love everybody else?” Establishing and repeating traditions is a first-rate family stabilizer.

Wednesday we traveled 475 miles to Afterglow Lake in the Wisconsin Northwoods to resurrect a week of family traditions and togetherness. Although we vacationed here for 25 summers in a row, we stopped visiting the year we bought our own summer cottage in Michigan, nine years ago. I’ll never forget the unsettled looks on our kids’ faces when we told them we wouldn’t be returning to Afterglow after that. Their objections were so strong we had to bottom-line the discussion with, “…at least for now.” Well-established family traditions don’t die without a fight, which proves their worth.

God has valuable family traditions, too. As his children we eagerly participate and are thankful for his consistency in these. When we take part in prayer and Scripture reading, we’re joining in on his well established traditions, put in place for our benefit. He’s also invited us to take part in the tradition of attending church with other believers, something else that benefits us with the gifts of fresh understanding and insight. God’s faithfulness in keeping his traditions is a tribute to his perfect character.

The Nyman traditions have never been on as high a plane as the Lord’s, of course, but some of the family-stabilizing ones we’ve loved most have been connected with the warmth and joy of past Afterglow vacations. For example, one favorite tradition born here was “Ice Cream for Dinner Night.” We’d all get good and hungry, and then pile into the station wagon for a big meal at Eagle River’s elaborate, old-fashioned ice cream parlor.

Round One might be a sundae or banana split, Round Two a malt or float. Only the brave went for Round Three, which could have been a loaded waffle cone with sprinkles as we walked out the door. The result of all this sugary goodness was sweet memories.

When we count traditions as important, in a way we’re modeling what God does for us as he demonstrates parenting perfection by being faithful to his own supernatural traditions. When we participate in these, he’s answering our question,  “Do you still love us, Lord?” By challenging us with Scripture, teaching us in church and answering our prayers, he’s saying, “Yes!”

So the next time we’re tempted to let a tradition go because it’s too much trouble or because obstacles get in our way, we should think twice and persevere. Our families will grow through these regular customs and experience a small sample of the security we feel as children of our tradition-oriented heavenly Father.

And now… what will I order first at the ice cream parlor?

“Every year, [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.” (Luke 2:41)